PROPOSALS HUMBLY PRESENTED To his Highness OLIVER Lord Protector of England, etc. and to the High Court of Parliament, now assembled;  
For the calling to a true and just Account all Committee-men, Sequestrators, Treasurers, Excize and Custom-Commissioners, Collectors of Monthly Assessments, and all other Persons that have been entrusted with the Public Revenue; or have in their Custody any thing of value appertaining to the Commonwealth.  
WITH Several Reasons for the Doing thereof, and the Ways how it may be exactly done, and several Precedents by Acts of Parlalament for the due and strict execution of the same; for the Honour of God, and Ease of the good People of this Nation in general in their Taxes.  
ALSO, For the Regulating of the Manufacture of Gold and Silver Thread and Wire; and for the passing an Act against Transporting Gold and Silver, and against Melting down the Currant Silver Monies of the Nation.  
LIKEWISE, A Narrative of the Proceed in the Court of Admiralty against the Silver-Ships, Samson, Salvador, and George.  
By THO. VIOLET of London Goldsmith.  Prov. 11. 10. 
When it goeth well with the Righteous, the City rejoiceth; And when the Wicked perish, there is shouting.  Josh. 7. 19, 20, 21. Luke 16. 1, 2. 
LONDON, Printed Anno Domini M. DC. LVI.   

  

To His Highness OLIVER LORD PROTECTOR OF England, Scotland & Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging.  
May it pleas Your Highness!  
AMongst the Roman Emperors, the name Pater Patriae was held their highest title of Honour; and the surest support of all good Princes, hath been the People's hearts: For where the Tongue-string, and not the Heartstring makes the music, the harmony may, and doth many times, end in discord.  
Queen ELIZABETH (that glorious Queen, and England's Deborah) used to say, Give me my People's hearts, and we shall not need to ask their purses: and this Maxim never deceived her. With what easshee got aids from the Nation in Parliament, the Records of her Reign show: The chief point that made the People so free to grant in those days, was, they knew by forty four years. experience, she was sparing and frugal herself, and God blessed her with a wise and prudent Counsel: And in point of managing her Revenue, That she never forgave her Accomptants or Receivers of her public Revenues, where it was possible to be levied. The State had had millions of money now in bank, had they followed her Rules to take a strict account of all their Receivers. The moneys belonging to her Crown. (as I humbly said) was never forgiven: Insomuch as some of her greatest Servants and Favourites dying in her debt, she would not discharge their Heirs or Executors, but held their Lands under extent, till she was paid the uttermost farthing; saying, She would not forgive any Officer that was an accountant; for the public moneys was not hers to give. And the Earl of Leicester, Secretary Walsingham, and Lord Chancellor Hatton (for all their being great Pillars in the Commonwealth, and greatly in her favour) having gotten to be in her debt, their several Lands were held under extent, after their deaths, till every penny was paid her: Though some of their Heirs petitioned, yet they were forced to pay the uttermost farthing, receiving this answer from the Queen, That if the People should know that she prodigally gave away the public Treasure, they might justly deny her when she had occasion in Parliament, or otherways. An excellent Rule, at this time, and at all times, for all sovereign Princes to follow▪  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; About the Spanish Invasion in 88, Queen Elizabeth borrowed of the Merchant Adventurers about One hundred thousand pound, and kept that money by her for above one year, and paid it exactly at the day, with interest, after 10 per cent. though she made not any use of one penny of it, but put it in bank with the rest of her Treasure. This she did out of her forecast and providence, that so if the Spaniards had landed, she would not then be to seek for Treasure, for to pay her Soldiers and supply her occasions. Her wise, rich and provident Grandfather Henry the 7th, she reading his Life and Reign, could teach her that Rule, never to let her Exchequer be empty; he leaving (as is recorded) in Richmond House, Seventeen hundred thousand pound in gold; which is now by computation, according to the present value, near five millions. By these courses that glorious Queen got such reputation, for good husbanding and prudent managing her Revenues; and principally, by her just repayment, and by her sparing the public Treasure, that in many of her Parliaments, the subsidies and fifteons granted, ●●re entreated and pressed on her, as a benevolence and freewill offering of the People to her; with many expressions of thanks from the Parliament for her good and gracious Government: And sometimes their voluntary bounty hath been such, that the Parliament hath granted more than she would accept; and the Queen hath, with thanks, herself in Parliament, returned Subsidies again. Her Fame extending beyond Solomon's, even to the farthest and greatest Monarches in the world. The Grand Signior sending his Imperial salutes, and desiring her Peace and Amity with Commerce and Trade. And the Emperor of Russia, admiring her great Valour, in offering to affront and assault and begin a War with the King of Spain, at her desire, did grant to the English Merchants, for the respects he bore to their glorious Queen Elizabeth, many great Privileges and Immunities in his Empire for Him and his Successors for ever; which were inviolably observed by his Successors, till about the year 1650. She usually said, She desired that her Subject's Purses should be her Exchequer. For, as long as they were rich, she could not be poor: These Princely and Popular Expressions took so with all her Subjects, (rich and poor) that she never stirred out of the Court, but she had the Acclamations, Prayers and Praises of Thousands of her People, both in City and Country: And she would show the like tenderness and affection to her People. And this Blessing God bestowed then on this Nation, that Prince and People were of one Mind, one Heart, and one Faith, (except some few Catholics). Her watchful eye was ever over them; and that strengthened, by God's blessing, her hands, that in her time she did such great things: in her greatest Difficulties, her Affairs were carried smoothly on by the prudence of her Counsel. If Grievances were by the Commons in Parliament presented unto her, it was in such a decent form, (she always keeping the dignity of her State Imperial) that the People's Grievances appeared unto her like the tears of the Turtle and the mourning of Doves. Some of the Representations of their Grievances in Parliament, I have seen and read to this effect, That if there was any thing expressed otherwise then they should have represented, That her Majesty would cast the vail of her Grace upon it, and give a  and benign Answer and Interpretation of their humble Petition. And surely, (next to God's gracious protection) her Safety was built, as Solomon's Throne was, she was supported by XII. Lions, a grave and prudent Counsel; the number of her inward Privy Counsellors not much exceeding that number: By her prosperous Conduct and Management of her Affairs, all Christendom esteemed England to have a glorious Prince, a wise Counsel of State, and the People happy in general.  
I have read, that my Lord Chancellor Bacon, in a Speech of his in Parliament, had this saying, Sure I am (saith that golden mouthed Orator) that the Treasure that cometh from the Commons to her Majesty, is but as a vapour which ariseth from the Earth, and gathereth into a Cloud, and stayeth not there long, but upon the same Earth falleth down again; And if some few drops fall upon France and the United Provinces, it is as a sweet odor of Honour and Reputation to the English Nation throughout the World. Elegantly expressing the relief that the English afforded both to France and the Low-Countries against their then common Enemy the Spaniard.  
In her glorious Reign, the Counsels that were then in Parliament, tended ever to the individual prosperity, and the safety and preservation both of the Queen and People: And like Christ's coat, without seam, all their Counsels were of one piece, the equal prosperity of both. And after 44 years' reign, this glorious Queen died, rich in Jewels, rich in Money and Plate, the Lands of the Crown; and, above all, rich in the Love and Estimation of her Loyal People, after she had contended with the King of Spain, by invading him in Spain, in Portugal, in the Indies, firing and burning his Ships and Carrakes in our narrow Seas; and made her Commanders so terrible on the Spanish coasts, that the children when they cried, their parents would fright them with garda el Draco; which is, Be quiet, have a care, here is Drake. I pray God, and hope to see the same fear fall on them by the Virtue and Valour of Your Highness' Admiral Blake, not only to fright their Children, but their Natives, when they are men, making them to cry garda el Blaco, as well as their Fathers said garda el Draco. This great Quarrel at the first was undertaken by the Queen, for the relief of the miserable poor distressed Dutch Protestants, the States of the United Provinces in the Low Countries, (they had no other title in her Reign). I hope they will for ever acknowledge the Courtesies of English men's blood and money, that hath made them now the High and Mighty Lords the States, and a free State; I wish it be not now in their Greatness blotted out of their remembrance.  
Queen Elizabeth's Wars in Ireland were very expensive; and also her Relieving of France both with Men and Money. And at the foot of the account, for all these great undertake, to leave her Successor her Kingdoms in great wealth, peace, honour, and safety, and her People happy, makes up the m●●acle.  
Towards the setting of this glorious STAR, some sons of Belial laid the foundation of the Hellish Powder Plot; and at latter end of her glorious Reign, the Anabaptists and Sectaries begin (like Snakes) to engender; but her Successor King James, by his prudence, shook them off, as St Paul did the Viper, by several ways and means: First, as the Physician, let's some blood out of the body to preserv the whole: Secondly, as Seafaring men in a storm, casts some goods over board to save the Cargasaon: Thirdly, as a good Husbandman, that will afford some feet of ground for hedging and and ditching to fortify and secure the rest: Fourthly, as a good Gardiner, that would have his garden plants grow, pluck's up the weeds by the roots: So King James used all these Remedies to the Sectaries, some of their mouths he stopped with preferment; some he committed to the rigour of the Law, which cost them their lives; others to Prison. And after the Dispute at Hampton-Court, he put down his peremptory resolution by Proclamation, (which I humbly call his hedge, to keep out the little Foxes that spoil the Vineyard of the Church) Requiring a conformity to the same by all Persons upon strict penalties; which proved a good temporary Remedy.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS to read but one touch more of the splendour and glory of this great Queen Elizabeth; she was not without her Eclipses with troubles and fears many ways (to show the uncertainty of worldly glory) even from her nearest Kinswoman Mary Queen of Scots; who, while she was Queen of France, by her Husband's persuasion, took upon her the stile and title of Queen of England; from which sprung all her troubles in Scotland, when she returned a widow out of France (and this was done by Queen Elizabeth and her Counsels instigation): These troubles, by her Scotch Rebels, drove the Scotch Queen into England, whither she fled for refuge; but it proved otherwise: for, upon that score, she was catched in the net of death; and so much the sooner, by reason of her impatience not brooking the delays of her Deliverance; which thrust her headlong into so many Treasons, that Queen Elizabeth could not let her live, and be in safety herself; for Queen Elizabeth was often times heard to say, Either strike, or be stricken: and so she struck first, and cut off her head; and by that means removed her Capital Enemy, (It is a certain truth, It is a dangerous thing for a supreme Magistrate to have the patience to stay to be first stricken) but to put an end to those plots which were daily plotting and hatching against her Crown and Dignity; for the Queen of Scots had real plots for both, having found in her Study the Keys of above fifty several Characters for several people she held Intelligence with, both Foreign and English Traitors. Queen Elizabeth's grave and wise Counsel would not let her play an after game. They had the Queen of Scots tried by a Jury of English Noblemen, many of them being Catholics, & her own friends and nearest relations; and had they not found her guilty, many of their heads had gone off: for which very reason, many that the Scotch Queen took to be her friends, were her greatest enemies. But doing that business so effectually, the Queen winked at many Noblemen; for many of her Jury that had been hatching and acting with her, Queen Elizabeth buried their faults in oblivion. But Abington and Babington scaped not so well, being both hanged, drawn and quartered, and their Estates annexed to the Crown. There were others (as Somervill, Parry, Savage, and many more) that sought this glorious Queen's death, but she was still protected by the Watchman which slumbereth not; and died gloriously, and in peace.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; when King James came to the Crown, a Powder Plot was laid for him, his Vine and Olive-branches being to be about him, attended by his Nobles and third Estate in Parliament, who were all designed in the twinkling of an eye to have been brought to ashes, and dispersed by the four Winds: the hellishness of that Treason is beyond the expression of words.  
That many Treasons have been plotted in other Countries, and on other Princes as well as ours; to Catholics as well as to Protestants, and have taken effect: They were but plotted with us, but by God's providence prevented; beyond Sea really acted, witness the two great Kings of France, (Henry the Third and Henry the Fourth) one stabbed before Paris, in the face of his Army; and the other King, by a rascally Votary, a fellow conjured into the spirit of a Quaker (by such a base hand died Henry the great King of France in the streets of Paris) and the Prince of Orange murdered in Holland, being a Protestant Prince, by the same kind of villainous hands. These perils are common in all ages, to good Princes and bad Princes, Protestants and Catholics. And seeing these daily practices are and have been by God's permission suffered to be done, what manner of men ought all Princes and supreme Magistrates to be, considering (more than other men) they may have their glory extinguished in a moment, and that by base and unworthy hands.  
Some men (in all ages) being possessed and instigated by the power of the Devil, who possesseth them, and put's into their minds, that a private man may by a dagger or pistol judge and execute a Prince, if they conceiv him a Tyrant: And these delusions many times prevail with these incarnate Devils, whereby they act Tragedies, and shake whole Nations; and thus do supreme Magistrates too frequently become (by these ill-principled Miscreants) upon the matter, but mere Tenants at will of their Lives and Dignities.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; there is a Pestilent Plague that reigns amongst us, which (I humbly say) ought by the pruning-knife of the Law to be lopped off from the wholesome Tree of this flourishing Commonwealth; and that is the Treasonable Libeler, which of late hath increased openly every week, producing daily monstrous births of Villainy against the State. Great SIR! I humbly say, That these things ought not to be despised, but rather looked into; for every Libel is a knock at a careful Magistrate's door; to awaken and cause him to stand upon his Guard; especially in such Times as these, when many men's brains are apt (being like Touchwood) to take fire with the least spark of Sedition. And therefore, even as the Plague and sundry other filthy diseases are obnoxious and troublesome to both the mind and body; so are all scurrilous Verses and libellous Pamphlets, with their devilish Authors, in a higher degree more infectious and hurtful to both Church and Commonwealth. (Now all diligence should be used to bring the Offenders to Justice, and by that means to terrify others.) I have seen some questioned, but I did never see exemplary Justice done upon the Offenders, for these many years bypast: Some Juries in this Nation will not believ the ill Consequence of this fire, till (without God's great mercy) all will be in a flame; for one Villain may bring a Plague into a City, as well as an Army; and one Conspirator, or one Libeler, one Naples Massanello, against a Prince or State, may be like a Thunderbolt that strikes upon the sudden, and can hardly be discerned, there is no defence nor preparation against them; one Felton in a moment extinguished the Greatness of a Duke of Buckingham.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; amongst just Princes (in the deadliest war) assassinators and poisoners of Princes have ever been accounted execrable; and the Actors and Plotters to be taken off from the face of the earth. And for all these new Doctrines abroad within this Nation, all true Subjects, without distinction or degree, (I most humbly conceiv) own faith and service to the supreme Magistrate, which give's them protection: And it is Treason for any Subject in this Nation, of what degree soever (I humbly conceiv) to be privy to any foreign Invasion, Rebellion, or Sedition, or any private Practices, to alienate and estrange men's hearts against the State, and so prepare them to burst out into Tumults and Commotions in these dangerous Times.  
Most humbly I shall conclude, That as Your HIGHNESS (by Divine Providence) hath gotten the Supremacy of Power, and to be Protector of these Nations (so it is balanced with the supremacy of Cares); You must watch, when others sleep; for Your ascent to Greatness hath brought on You a great proportion of cares and troubles. And those men, whomsoever they be; that look to gather their fruits, and live under the shadow of Your Protection, and would be partakers of the beneficial Advantages, which daily must descend from Your HIGHNESS, being the Supreme Magistrate; if they will not, in requital of Your Protection, be true and faithful to Your HIGHNESS and the Commonwealth, Such men (I humbly say) let them pretend what Religion they pleas, (without God's infinite mercy) may bring, both upon themselves and the Nation in general, great mischiefs, to the destruction both of themselves and many other particular persons.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; Queen Elizabeth and her prudent Counsel would never stay to be first strucken, either by a Foreign Prince, or home Rebel; when she saw there was just occasion, she would always be beforehand with them: by which her Vigilancy, she kept herself and People in safety, being much feared by her Enemies, and honoured and admired both at home and abroad by all her Friends.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; I most humbly desire Your gracious perusal of these my humble following Proposals, for calling the Accomptants of this Nation in general to account; and of Your Princely Benignity, to vouchsafe to pardon what You in Your great Wisdom shall see in this Book amiss; if it be my error, it is an error of the right hand, and flows from a Loyal heart, out of my humble zeal and affection of your Highness' Safety, Honour, Peace and Wealth, and for the good and ease of the Nation in general of some of their Taxes, by calling some unjust Stewards, Committee-men, and Treasurers to account, according to the Laws of the Nation;) and that your Highness and the Parliament would be pleased to make such Orders, Ordinances and Rules for the due and just making of Gold and Silver Thread, Wire, Pearl, Spangles, etc. that the former Deceits and Frauds, (daily practised and put upon the Nation) may be prevented; And that an Act may be made against all persons that have or shall hereafter cull and melt down the currant Coins of the Nation, for the making of any of the aforesaid Manufactures, or for any use whatsoever: And that an Act against Transporters of Gold and Silver out of this Nation may be forthwith passed, to prevent these great mischiefs to the Commonwealth, which daily arise through the Covetousness of particular persons, to the great damage, weakening and impoverishing of the Nation in general. The long Parliament hath particularly excepted all these offences concerning the Coin and Bullion out of the general Pardon, in Anno 1651. and all the Offenders are at this day liable to be severely punished. There is the draught of an Act of Parliament against all these Offences and Offenders, twice read in the House and amended, and appointed by the House to be reported by Mr Augustine Garland in the month of April 1●53. Which Act, if once finished (as it is now drawn) doth appoint Commissioners to examine and find out both the Offences and Offenders, according to former Precedents in Parliament.  
And upon the effectual prosecution (I humbly say) the Offenders may find the old Proverb true, that Sweet meat must have sour sauce: Their exemplary punishment will terrify others for the future from practising such mischiefs against the Commonwealth.  
I have humbly presented to your Highness a further Narrative of my prosecution against the Silver ships Samson, Salvador and George in the Court of Admiralty. The several witnesses (being many of them Passengers in these ships) confess the Silver and Lading was consigned for Amsterdam; And many other remarkable Proceed, for to vindicate the Honour and just Proceed of the then Counsel of State and Parliament, who stayed those Ships and Silver, as Hollanders Silver and merchandise, ships and goods, only upon your Supplicants information and prosecution against them. The Hamburgers, Spaniards and Lubeckers had their ships and goods restored by the Judges of the Court of Admiralty.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; I had more trouble to entitle the State to this Silver in these ships, and to disprove the Spanish Ambassadors Claim to this Silver, than I shall have to find out the frauds of the Accomptants of this Nation: And if I be impowered to be your Highness' Remembrancer, and to have an inspection into the Accounts of this Nation, (by the assistance of God, if your Highness and the Parliament will strictly and effectually proceed in this Business) it will bring your Highness in millions of money, for the ease of the good People of the Nation in general.  
God defend, the Commons of this Nation should pay their Taxes and Assessments to particular persons, who shall not give a just account to the Commonwealth, according to the Laws and Statutes of this Nation. All good people (I most humbly say) ought to part with some part of their Fleece for the Safety of the Nation, when it is legally assessed, and justly and truly accounted for; but not to pay their moneys to private Treasurers and Committee-men: that by these Employments, many of them have gotten vast possessions from the bottom of beggary and baseness, by fraud, dissimulation and Cozenage.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; These men have not moderately shorn the Sheep of these Nations, but they have rend and torn their pelts and skins from them, and they ought (I most humbly say) to pay for the mending of them; and to serve some of these men as Dudley and Emson were served in King Henry the Eighth's time, would be a pleasing sight, and acceptable to the good People of the Nation.  
My most humble Suit to your Highness is, That none of the Accomptants of the Nation may escape in the crowd, from giving up a just, true and perfect account; and that Commissioners and Auditors, of approved integrity and trust to your Highness, may be impowered to view and inspect into all Orders and Warrants that have or shall be produced by any Treasurer or Accountant, for all sums of money they pretend for their discharge; and where any Warrant hath been pretendedly or really paid, and not legally impowered for the payment of any sum of money; all such Warrants may be suspended, for the view and inspection of your Highness' Commissioners of the Revenue, or such other honourable persons your Highness shall appoint for that service: And every Treasurer and Accountant of this Nation, his Body, Goods and Lands, his Heirs and Executors, to be liable till they have duly accounted, according to the Laws of the Nation, or obtained your Highness gracious Pardon and Discharge.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; Thus far I proceeded in this my most humble Epistle, at the first day this Parliament fate, being Sept. 17. and your Supplicant being resolved to wait some time, to see how God would dispose of the Counsels of your Highness Supreme Court, I did for some day's acquiess in this Business.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; It is a reverend Tradition and Privilege granted to the Members of the high Court of Parliament, that many things may be spoken by the Members of the high Court of Parliament within the House, which are not communicable abroad, and punishable for themselves to speak out of that Place. There are some things which God doth many times put into a man's heart, (which is no Member of Parliament, but an humble loyal Subject) which are for the good and benefit of the Nation, which one man knoweth; and peradventure another man that is far wiser and more learned than he, doth not know.  
May it pleas Your Highness; In a ship, an ordinary Boy thereof is as much bound to discover a Leak or a Conspiracy in the said ship, as the Boson or Pilate, and hath as good interest to do it, because his life is endangered in the concealing of it; and a poor man's life may be as precious to himself as a rich man's: the same thing ought every man to do, that is a faithful Subject on Land, in any Nation where he hath protection, and much more his Country, for preventing all Conspiracies to his power; and if he make a Discovery of what the Supreme Magistrate knows before, he may therein show want of Judgement, but not want of duty or affection to the Supreme Magistrate or Government where he liveth.  
I humbly say, That man sinneth against God and his Conscience, if it be for the honour of God, the good of the Nation, and the safety of the Supreme Magistrate, if he do not discover it: (and all men formerly were bound by their Oaths of Aliegiance and Supremacy to be true to the King.)  
For he that hides and conceals that which God would have revealed, puts God's light under a Bushel; most especially, if it be incumbent upon a man's spirits, and such notions dictated unto him by the spirit of God, which he never had before for the doing it; and upon resisting that spirit, may never have hereafter.  
This being my present condition, upon my knees I beseech your Highness to be graciously pleased to grant your  perusal of this Epistle and Book, being far larger than at first I intended, proceeding from a most humble, dutiful and loyal heart, for your Highness' Security, Peace, Honour and Safety.  
Had Caesar perused what was writ to him before he went into the Capitol, he had not died as he did. The Duke of Guyse in France, and many others (in all ages) that have slighted information and intelligence, have had the same sad fate.  
Great SIR, I most humbly say, your Highness having (by God's gracious and  assistance) taken on You the Government of being PROTECTOR of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, You ought and are bound (both before God and to these Nations) to the uttermost of your power to give Protection and equal Justice to all the good people of these Nations, that are willing to live under your Protection, and to defend them with all your might & strength, and to use the power God hath put into your hands for those ends, to keep your People in peace and safety against all factious spirits.  
In pursuance thereof, You are (as much as in you lieth) to keep from power or public Employment all such as You and your Counsel shall know to be public or secret undermining Enemies of the peace & welfare of this Commonwealth, by what pretences, titles or callings soever, whether Civil, Military or Ecclesiastical. You and your great Counsel (upon my bended knees I say) are to have a special care of some men, who, under the pretence of the Privileges and Rights of the people in Parliament, would (upon that popular score) vent their own discontents, and put all again into a confusion: with what spirits some old Members came to serve the Nation in this Parliament, was visibly seen to all men that wished the peace of this Nation, in some Counties upon their election, and in their ordinary conversation and deportment: The scope and drift of some men's designs was to make division and faction between the Parliament and your Highness, between the City and your Highness, and put all things into a confusion this present day, to make way for the public Enemies of your Highness and this Nation. This was by some particular persons (no doubt) intended (and all men that study and love the peace of their Country might see it) under such cunning undermining questions, as was by some discontented spirits set on foot the last Parliament, craftily to undermine the very Body and Being of the Government, and slily to strike at both your Highness and your Posterities Life, Fame and Fortunes, and to pluck up by the roots your Highness' Counsel and the established Government, which your Highness (by the Advice of your Counsel had settled); witness, the many Libels of all sorts and tempers, to stir up commotions in several Parts and Parties, the Ingredients being prepared for all Interests to incense and infuse a hatred and detestation of the present Government; and (without God's mercy) the intentions of some would have before this time burst out into tumults and insurrections: my hopes and prayers are, that God, by your Highness prosperous government, hath prepared better things for this Nation.  
That some factious Cocks, which crew so loud in the Country, now they are kept out of the Pit, may return home to their Houses, Country Capons, and sleep quietly in their roosts; it will be a happiness both to themselves, their Country, their Wives and Children, their Friends, Tenants, Servants and Neighbours (if they do so); and their not doing of it, may bring disturbance on the Nation, and a certain ruin upon themselves, their Wives and Children. It is an old trick, Divide and Rule: and many that have had the power, will leave no stone unturned to get again into play; so they laugh, they care not if the whole Nation cries.  
There are many good People who have been misled, upon the notion of Liberty and Freedom; And if your HIGHNESS and your Supreme Counsel (the Parliament) do not give a stop by your power and vigilancy, even at this juncture of time (without God's mercy) things may run into great Disorders.  
Therefore your HIGHNESS and the Parliament (I most humbly upon my knees say) must build the walls of our Jerusalem (England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging) as Nehemiah did that of the Jews. Your Highness and the Parliament have many Samballats that envies your Building and scorns your Reformation; there are many of the Children of Separation and Division in these Lands.  
When a wise man would keep his House from falling, (that is rend & shaken with great tempests,) he props it up with timber, cramps it with Iron bolts and bars; and, it may be, upon the propping of it to set it upright, cracks the seiling and fretwork of the best and stateliest room in his House; surely if either the Wife or the Children or the Servants should come and complain to the Owner what damage this beautiful room hath received, the Master of the House and his Workmen have at hand a ready Answer, which is, Should he not have propped and cramped the House with Iron bolts and bars, the whole fabric would have fallen, and the House have been made a heap of rubbish, both he and they would have had no place to keep them from the weather.  
By this my propping and cramping up my House (saith the wise Master and his Workmen) I have secured and got my Esse, I have kept my being; when my House is new tiled and tyte, to keep out the weather, you shall have your desire, I will give you all content, I will cause Plasterers to repair and garnish that seiling which you are so much offended with the cracking of; I will new gild it, and make it more beautiful than ever it was, provided you will put to your hands to sweep down the Cobwebs, and carry away the rubbish, and so cleanse and clear my House; do this, I promise you I will do the other.  
No doubt, but a wise and dutiful family will do it cheerfully with thanks, for their Esse and being hath been preserved through the Master of the family's Providence.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; I humbly say, The good people of these Nations under your protection, ought (at this juncture of time) earnestly to pray to God, that the foundations of their Happiness may be so laid, this Parliament (as to secure firmly their being) that they may have an Esse, and then comes the Been, that it may be as firmly settled upon as sure a foundation as a Rock, against whom no divisions or force can or shall prevail.  
For the effectual Security of these Nations, that this Parliament would be pleased to erect a high Court of Justice, to sweep down the cobwebs, remove the rubbish, clear the house, and by Justice restrain and (if incorrigible) cut off unruly and violent spirits. Wise men cut their coats according to their cloth, and will be sure to keep themselves warm, before they buy Lace to trimm them. Upon my knees I humbly desire your Highness, to put the Nation in a posture of defence, against homebred Traitors and foreign Force, and then be pleased to garnish the People with rich and stately Privileges.  
Security ought to be provided for before Ornament.  
The Divisions at home are far more destructive and dangerous, than any foreign Force or Invasion can be to this Nation. God be thanked, the Sea is a hook in our Enemy's nostrils; they may be numerous, but they are at a distance. I hope this Nation in one respect may have a Property that Ireland hath, that no Spider or venomous living Creature but dies assoon as it is put on Irish ground: So, I pray God, none of England's Enemies (either homebred Traitors or foreign Nations) that shall invade us, but upon their first Landing, may by God's Assistance find English ground to be their graves, by the virtue and valour of your Highness' Armies.  
I have heard of a famous Vaulter, that having once shown a rare trick, was pressed by some to do it again; and striving to do it the second time, broke his neck.  
God divided the red Sea, and made a passage for the Children of Israël to bring them out of Egypt towards Canaan, this I find and read; but I never found nor read, that God would have divided the red sea, and given them a safe Passage, if they would have left Moses and Aaron, and returned into the red Sea again for Egypt.  
We have a Proverb, The pot goes often to the water, but at last it comes broken home. God's providence hath gone along with us, while he bids us go and fight his battle, we have seen the success. No man can promise a Blessing, when we fall out amongst our selus for shadows, and neglect our common Safeties. Many men have laid their designs to bring a mischief about, so deep, that when they spring their mines, the powder that makes the train shall be freedom and privilege of Parliament, God's Cause, and what not, to make a disturbance. The truth is, if some men would speak their minds truly, there are a sort of people do but cajole the common people, and blow them into discontents to get into places of power, as Absalon did, with I would I were a Judge in Israël, what Justice would I do? so says some male-contented Members that were of the long Parliament, If we can but revive Lazarus, get the long Parliaments power to sit everlastingly; Well, what then? we will restore the People to their Liberty; Even as much as you did it when you had the power; for they had so entangled themselves and the Nation, that rich and poor, young and old, were glad they were dissolved; and many of them are ashamed of their own do, yet some of the old Members would fain be at the old Work.  
They would (had they your Highness' power) destroy and pluck up by the roots You, that had wrung the power out of their hands, also your Posterity, your Counsel, Army, and all your relations. I humbly say, I believe these would be the Actions of some of the Members of the long Parliament, had they the power again; and this is the study of some discontented Members.  
To stir up and foment the several humours and tempers of some factious people, to gather together and involve us in blood again, what meaneth the daily seditious printed Libels else? if your Highness, the Parliament, and Army look not vigilantly about to suppress these malcontents, (before they get a head) by exemplary Justice. I humbly say, the mischief is not so inconsiderable, that it should be despised.  
And if it should so fall out, that this mischief should burst out, (as God of his infinite mercy defend) by the neglect either of your Highness, the Parliament or Army; no doubt but God, having put us of these Nations into your hands for just protection, for such as submit to you for conscience sake; the same God will require a just account of your Highness, Parliament and Army, how you have discharged this great trust; and wheresoëver the failing of the Trust is, God will expect a strict account, and punish it: for men's lives ought not to be spilt as water on the ground, nor their goods plundered, to satisfy factious and private spirits: The supreme Magistrate is to see the peace of the Nation not to be disturbed upon particular factions, though they be multitudes. The Magistrate set over us is not to bear the sword in vain: Justice is sometimes more seasonable for the Nation (upon incorrigible Offenders) than Mercy, that others may take example.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; A master of Ship in a storm at sea, may fling goods overboard, for saving the Passengers, Ship, and Loading; and the Owners must bear the loss, with thanks for his care; which if he should do in a calm, (fling the goods overboard) he would deserve blame and to pay for the merchandise: That may lawfully be done in dangerous times, which cannot be justified in quiet times.  
There are some Privileges in a quiet time, which may and ought to be stood upon, which at this time are destructive to the very being and safety of the Nation; For if every man should be admitted to give Physic that the Neighbours present and commend out of love to a sick man, the patient may quickly be purged out of the world: Dangerous times must have skilful, valiant, and vigilant managers of their Affairs, and not discontented persons.  
We see in Fevers, Calentures, and Lunacies, wise Physicians sometimes binds the hands, and give their Patients thin and spare diet; which, by the care and attendance of the Physician and Friends, the Sick are again recovered: Surely when they are in health, these mad men ought to thank their Physician and Friends, as being (under God) the Instruments that gave them Life and Being: When these mad men are well recovered, they need not to be restrained within doors, they need not to be debarred of a free and plentiful diet, but to enjoy all they have freely, and to dispose of it as they please themselves. If these Rules were not observed, when men are in a Lunacy or Sick, it would destroy Society, and be destructive to mankind. A mad man with a knife may cut his own throat; with a sword, kill and wound all he meets. A Sick man may eat or drink so much as may kill him, fling off the , or otherwise disorder himself.  
Now, may it pleas your Highness; If these be ordinary bonds and relations of Christianity, Neighbourhood and Friendship between party and party, and is used amongst the most barbarous Nations, as the means to preserve a being; how much more is it your Highness' Duty and Place, and God expects it from your hands (being assisted with the supreme Court of Parliament) to be a good and merciful Physician to the distempered and sick men of the Nation, some old Members of the long Parliament? A disease of the mind, and an inveterate heart are not curable, but by God's blessing: such evil spirits are not cast out but by Prayer and Fasting. How mercifully have you dealt with some of them that were chosen to sit in Parliament, in not suffering them to run upon that (which certainly had some of them been admitted to sit in Parliament) they would have run themselves upon a Rock to their own Confusion?  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; I do not say, all those Gentlemen that were not at first admitted, God defend; for many, no doubt, are honourable and worthy Personages, and will give your HIGHNESS, the Parliament and Counsel just satisfaction. The like (I most humbly say) for those honourable and worthy Gentlemen, that are gone down into their Countries; no doubt, many upon their private occasions to settle their Business, and return to do the Parliament and Nation Service.  
May it pleas your HIGHNESS; there is a saying, He is more merciful that prevents a man from falling, than he that takes him up after he is fallen, and could have stayed his falling; it shows an abundance of bowels of mercy, that your Highness would not let some men run their desperate course, that they, when they were entangled in the net of their own inventions, might have enriched your Coffers by their Confiscations, and ruined their families.  
God hath put it into your heart, to save them as a brand out of the fire; for had they been let alone, they had some of them burnt their wings. If they read the History of former King's Craft (as King James used to call it); they constantly made Rise and Tumults an advantage unto them by Confiscations and Forfeitures, to augment the Revenues of the Crown. And, no doubt, (many a man for the very covetousness to get his Estate) some Kings have hatched and revived old Treasons themselves, to get and ensnare sometimes Innocents', and sometimes heedless Traitors. Histories, both divine and profane have such examples.  
God send some men never to forget your Highness' goodness; for when they had run their course (as some Gentlemen in the North and West have done) some would have come to untimely deaths, others to banishment, and all to ruin and infamy (to the break-heart of their Wives, Children, and relations); and some others, with sorrow, tears, and unfeigned repentance, to have begged for their lives, and (peradventure) not obtained it, being cut off in their prime & strength, before half their days are run out.  
Their Wives, Children, and Relations of some Families in this Nation, are bound to bless God for ever, that put it into your Highness' heart to prevent some men in this Nation, that they should not forfeit their lives nor estates: a great mercy (with reverence be it spoken) in imitation of the great God of Heaven, that hath said, I will not the death of a sinner; and with long suffering and patience beareth with sinful man, whose breath is in his nostrils, and lighter than the dust in the balance. What are the private malcontents of this Nation in your Highness' hands, so long as you make God your Shield and Buckler? Under God's safeguard and tuition, mighty Kings and Commonwealths have not been able to resist the force of your Armies and Navies; (witness, Holland, Denmark, Portugal, etc.) that God that hath delivered you from the Bear and the Lion, will deliver you from these uncircumcised Philistines, if you put your trust in him.  
The Blessing of him that spoke out of the burning Bush, bless your Highness and your High Court of Parliament, and direct all your Counsels, that this Parliament may prove a Blessing to this Nation; And that your Highness and the Parliament may be (as Moses and Aaron to the Children of Israel) the Deliverers of these Nations out of the Land of Egypt; And that God would send the spirit of Courage, Love & Concord upon all your Persons, & bless the Counsels and Acts of this Session of Parliament; That your Highness may be a Nursing-father, and with compassion ease the Griefs and Oppressions of your People, (many of your good and loyal Subjects at this day suffering much wrong and oppression, amongst whom your humble Supplicant is not the least, being oppressed contrary to God's Law and the Laws of the Nation.  
Your Supplicants daily prayer is, That God of his mercy will blast and scatter all inventions & plots that are or shall be hatching against your Highness and the high Court of Parliament, either of foreign Foes or native Rebels; And that God would turn the Counsels of some of the malicious Achitophel's of this Nation that are sequestered and laid aside, and some others that have maliciously deserted their Trusts, into Foolishness; And if they do maliciously, wilfully and foolishly persist still to seek the disturbance of these Nations, over which God by his divine Providence hath made your Highness' Governor and PROTECTOR; that then your sword of Justice may fall on some of them, to terrify others, or (which is worse) that some of them may (if they do not repent of this malicious sin to God and your Highness for what they had maliciously designed) they may serve themselves as Achitophel did, 2 Sam. 17. 23. And when Achitophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose and got him home to his own house to his City, and put his household in order; and HANGED himself, and was buried in the Sepulchre of his Fathers.  
Let this be the end of your Highness' malicious and implacable Enemies; others that err through misinformation or difference in Judgement, I pray God to show them a sight of their sins, and give your Highness a merciful heart, so freely to pardon them, as yourself would expect God's pardon; that so, through the great mercy and protection of our God, these three Nations (after so many Earthquakes, Overturnings, and most famous and memorable Revolutions) may be firmly grounded and settled on the foundations of Liberty and Freedom, Truth, Mercy, and Peace; to the astonishment and amazement, horror and confusion of homebred Traitors and foreign Nations, your Highnesses and our Nations Enemies.  
When they shall see their hopes disappointed, many of them promised to themselves, viz, Uproars, Tumults and Commotions, Fire and Blood; every man ready to sheathe his sword in his Neighbour's bowels, the rocks to rend, and the Stars of our Firmament to fall, our Sun to be darkened, and Moon to be turned to blood, through the divisions and private discontents amongst us in Parliament.  
But BEHOLD! by the good guidance of God, this glorious Parliament running its course as the Sun in his strength, to the joy and comfort of our Friends, both at home and abroad, and confusion of our Foes in all parts; that see this Parliament sit in Glory and Peace, in Love, Union, Order, and Concord, in that form as was wont to be in Glorious Queen ELIZABETH's days, every Member making it his study to get good Laws, Liberties and Privileges for the Counties, Cities and Burroughs they served for; and for these Nations of England, Scotland and Ireland in general, for the individual Safety, Prosperity, Welfare and Honour of Protector and People, all their Interest to go hand in hand together. And your Highness acting Queen Elizabeth's part, studying always to enlarge yourself, to give these Nations all just and due Satisfaction and large Immunities.  
Your Highness and the Parliament building up this Commonwealth, as Nehemiah did the walls of Jerusalem, Nehem. 4. every Builder to have his sword girded by his side, and so they builded; there are several other remarkable passages in that Chapter fit for these present times.  
By the blessing of God, these glorious Beginnings of this Parliament will have as an auspicious and happy end and finishing, to the great contentment of your Highness and all the good people of your several large Dominions, to the terror of your Enemies, and the frustrating of many Spanish designs, that were and are hatching here, under specious pretences of several men's Interests and Discontents.  
These men's Eggs were buried (not doubt) in India Gold; but, by the good guidance of God, the Spaniards Eggs will prove addle; He is so subtle (by the Counsel of his Jesuits, casting themselves into all shapes) for he doth most of his work by the Jesuits, who sow and foment new Doctrines amongst us, that have bewitched and cracked the heads of many men in these Nations, which do the Spaniards and Papists work, and know it not.  
When your Highness Navies sailed to the West-indieses, You caused them to be sheathed with Planks, Pitch and Hair, that the worms which breed in those Seas might do no hurt or prejudice to the hull or bulk of their Ships.  
Great SIR! England, Scotland and Ireland may well be compared to three Royal Ships, and the Dominion of Wales to a most Princely Frigate, Your Highness by the grace of God being Protector, General and Admiral.  
Your Highness hath now a War with Him that styles himself the Emperor of the Indies. This Prince is Master of a Metal that is as dangerous to all Princes in Christendom, their Persons, Countries, Lands and Territories, as the Worms in the Indian Seas are to the Merchant's ships. No Iron bars can be made so strong, but this Metal (like Aqua fortis) will eat through. It is called Gold and Silver; it is so subtle, that it will incorporate (like Quicksilver) almost with all metals: Men of all Professions, all Ages, rich and poor, young and old, none but are taken and corrupted with it, as he is a Natural man.  
But God hath appointed a Remedy against this Poison to some persons through his mercy, the precious balsom of his restraining Grace; but this he grants but to a few, whose spirits are elevated above Gold and Silver, this world or worldly things.  
God hath appointed another Balsam for these Nations against the Poison of Spanish Gold and Silver; and that is, to bless these Nations with your Highness victorious PERSON, being assisted with your supreme Counsel the Parliament.  
Upon my knees I most humbly say, As you sheathe your Ships you send to India for fear of the Worm; so your Highness must sheathe the Cinque-ports and Creeks of your Highness' Dominions, you must fortify and garrison the Seaports of this Nation, and the People be always ready (both in hand and heart, all as one man) to fight for our Religion, Country, our Lives, Wives and Children, Lands and Estates; and without this be done, we shall not have a Being, Estates or Propriety: this is the one thing necessary and chief to be looked after, to fortify and secure the Nation against homebred Traitors and foreign Forces.  
And, if any should presume to assault us, we may be aforehand, and by our Navies destroy their Ships & Vessels in their own Seas, let their Land be died with their Spanish blood, let their barren Country be fattened with their own Carcases; and as they give in their moneys the Sheaf of Arrows, as a remembrance of the great Victories they obtained by the Valour of the English; so now, for their Ingratitude, the Spaniards may cry as they did in Queen Elizabeth's time, to Philip the Second King of Spain and his Counsel, SIR, Let us have Peace with England, and War with all the World. And if they did so when this Nation had but one Drake, and a small Fleet (in comparison of what your Highness hath, we having now many score of Drakes, which if they be impowered with your HIGHNESS' Commission, and God's Blessing thereupon) they shall never be able to bring home their Treasures from the West-indieses; and though our Fleet wait long, no doubt the Vigilancy of your Admirals will make the Spaniards pay for their attendance.  
About sixteen years ago, God (out of his secret Judgement) struck the Crown of Spain with a dead Palsy on one side, by the revolting of the Portugals, their right heir and true King assumed the Crown, viz. the Duke of Bragantza; so that now your Highness fights but with one half of the King of Spain, as he was formerly; the other half the Portugal will assist You in all his Dominions (both in Christendom, Africa, East and West Indies) to destroy the Spaniards.  
So that as God hath raised your Highness to this Greatness admirably, to have the Sovereignty and Dominion of these Nations▪ so by this rent and division of Portugal from Spain, God hath facilitated and made the way easy for your Highness to cut down and pluck up by the roots this barren Tree the Spaniards. And those Nations in the West-Indies, which at this day live under the Spanish Tyranny, and are now fed with the chaff and bran of Popish Superstition, may be (by the blessing of God) fed with the pure manchet of the Gospel, and at once be delivered from bodily and spiritual slavery.  
My daily prayer to God is, to keep us unanimous in this Nation of England, as we and our Predecessors were in famous Queen Elizabeth's days; that it may be the study of every good Protestant in this Nation with heart, hand and purse, to destroy the Spaniards greatness.  
The King of Spain's Power is now not half so much as it was before Portugal revolted from him, and his Power is now far more in show then substance; his Territories and Dominions are at such a distance one from another, they stand like the hairs of King James' beard, scatteringly, as if one was afraid of another: the charges of Garrisons, and to keep his Dominions under his Obedience, doth cost him (in some Countries) far more to keep the bare Title, than the Revenues of the Countries amount unto, witness our next Neighbour Flanders; and the like is for many other of his Dominions, that yearly cost him many hundred thousand pound●▪ he holds a Wolf by the ears; and if the King of Spain could be well rid of them, both He, and his Counsel (no doubt) wishes both Flanders and Holland drowned in the Seas; they have been the Sponges that have sucked up all his Treasure yearly.  
There was wont of old to be a saying, No Fishing like the Fishing in the sea; No service like a Kings: so, I humbly say, No War like a War with Spain, No service like a Protectors service.  
If we can but light on the King of Spain's Indian Fleets, & stop that Course, your Highness and these Nations (by God's assistance) will turn the scales of all the Affairs of Christendom, and make your Highness appear the true Defender of the Faith in these Imperial Dominions, and the Sword and Buckler of all the Protestant Churches in Christendom.  
It is a Rule amongst Gamesters, Winn at first, lose at last; and great Undertake are not to be effected but with great Difficulties. If it please God to put it into your Highnesses and this Parliaments hearts, vigorously and vigilantly to pursue the War in the West-indieses, all the Protestants in Christendom will be bound to bless God, and pray for your Highness and this glorious Parliament; and, by the Blessing of God, You and your Armies and Navies will cut the King of Spain in the jugular vein; as the Dutch man saith, Kill him as dead as a herring: which must be done by the unanimous Power of these three Nations.  
This Course will make great Britain and Ireland, and their several and respective Ports, Havens and Harbours thereof, to act and do Cadis and Saint Lucre's work; our British and Irish seaport Towns (by the prosperous conduct of your Highness' Admirals and Generals) to be the Banks, Magazines and Scales for Return of Indian Treasure, Jewels, and precious Merchandise. The Drum and Trumpet encourages Horse and Man to Battle. The word India, and to be master of the Treasure (as Gold, Silver, and other good things) of that new World, no doubt is and will be more inducing to many noble spirited Gentlemen, Merchants and Mariners of this Nation, than Drumm and Trumpet to Soldiers. But when the Land-souldierie shall be likewise interessed in the Purchase and Honour of this noble Undertaking; and the prayers and purses of the good people of this Nation in general, and an Act of this Parliament for settling a way for th● vigorous prosecution and maintenance of this just War, for the Good and Peace of Christendom, to go along in this glorious Action. Then surely it will be a voice of thunder and terror to the Spaniards; they have seen their best days, and the Massacres and Cruelties they have committed in the Indies, confessed by their own Countrymen; now calls them to a strict account for the sins of their Forefathers.  
All good people of these Nations may justly say, your Highness is sent by God as a Blessing of God to Christendom, and as a second Joshua to our Israël, to fight the Lords Battles; And by your most valiant Generals, Admirals, Land and Sea-souldierie, to put the People of these Nations into possession of the West-Indies.  
There is a sort of wilful People in these Nations, that repine and murmur, and will not see your Highness make these Nations happy. I humbly say, Your Enemies shall see this glorious Work done by your Highness, which shall cause some men to burst with anger. God hath appointed the Valour of this Nation to be a terror and scourge to the Spaniards.  
By this means the Spanish Greatness will go out like the snuff of a Candle, and all Christendom, that hath been disturbed and put into Garbles, confusions, and Tumults, by their Ambition and Pride, to the slaughtering and murdering of millions of men, wasting whole Kingdoms and Nations, their wounds and scars lie bleeding at this day in several places.  
May it pleas Your HIGHNESS; The West Indies is the King of Spain 's sting; as Samson 's strength lay in his Hair, so doth the strength of the King of Spain lie in his Indies: Clip but off his Trade of Returns from the Indies, Your Highness will find him as weak as water, and so poor, that he shall not be able to pay for a Poore-John or a Pilchard; You will hit him in the Ball and White of the Eye: If you take the Indies from him by the valour of Your People, the English may make his Castilianians grind Sugar Canes in the Barbadoss, and use them as Samson was used in the Prison-hous, and keep the Spaniards so poor, that the Hair of their heads shall never grow again to disturb Christendom.  
God still; for ever keep the spirit of Union in these Nations in general, that every man in his Calling may have a heart and hand to build up our Breaches: that both Your Highness and your People may as one man seek the Individual Prosperity the one of the other, even as it is the study and care of every goo● Husband and good Wife to please and content one another: And this is no more than (I most humbly say) Prudence requires at this time; for the Adversaries of our Peace are vigilant, and leave no stone unturned to break in upon us, and to make a division either in hearts or hands, at this conjuncture of time, may hazard and disturb the whole Nation.  
Now the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, which never slumbereth nor sleepeth, direct your Highness and this glorious Parliaments Counsels and Actions for his Honour and the Safety and Peace of all these Nations, over whom your HIGHNESS (by the Grace of God) is PROTECTOR; That as Your Highness is great and glorious in this World, you may be also great and glorious in the World to come. So prayeth,  
Your HIGHNESS 's most loyal, dutiful and obedient Subject, THOMAS VIOLET. LONDON, Sept. 24. 1656.   

To His Highness OLIVER LORD PROTECTOR OF England, Scotland & Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging.  
May it pleas Your Highness!  
HAving formerly (in November 1655, and April 1650 last) most humbly presented Your Highness in writing with some humble PROPOSALS, for Your Service, in relation to the calling to a true and just account all persons that have, directly or indirectly, in their Custodies, the public moneys, Lands, Plate, Jewels, Merchandise, or any other thing or things of value; and also the Statute made at Westminster in the tenth year of the Reign of Richard the Second: which excellent Law was made to bring to a strict account all such as had defrauded the King and State. The then Parliament, in making that good Act, was so careful to have all persons brought to account, that had received the public Treasure, and all such as had defrauded the King and Realm, that they made it a praemunire and loss of a man's Estate, besides imprisonment, for any (of what degree soever) that persuaded or gave counsel unto the King to have the said good Law defeated. And they found the strict and due execution of that Law to be the only Balsam to cure the great distempers and debts of the Commonwealth, and ease the good people in general of great outrages, oppressions, and insupportable charges. These are the very words of that Statute.  
Upon the delivery of this Writing, Your most humble Subject received Your Highness' gracious pleasure by Mr Kelleway, that Your Highness did approve of those his humble and loyal endeavours for Your Service; and that they should be taken into consideration.  
May it pleas Your Highness; Your humble Subject finding that on the 26 of May, 1656. a Commission was issued our, under the Great Seal of England, to certain persons, for to make enquiry and discovery concerning all persons that have in their hands or possessions, Moneys, Goods, Plate, Merchandise, or any thing of value appertaining to the Commonwealth, etc. Whereupon Your loyal Subject did present unto Your Highness' said Commissioners at Worcester-hous (about the last day of May) the names of several persons who had been entrusted and employed as Accomptants and Treasurers to receiv and finger the public moneys, Lands and Merchandise. Very many of these persons have made the Commonwealth's Money, Lands, Goods and Merchandise which they were entrusted with, so like their own, that to this day it stick's in these men's hands, and is in their private possession, to the great damage of the Nation. And many of them (upon examination) will be found to have at this time vast sums of money in their hands and possessions amongst them all, to the value of many hundred thousand pounds, Likewise your loyal Subject hath most humbly presented your Highness how strict Queen Elizabeth was to have all her Receivers called to a just account, never sparing her great Officers and Favourites, by which means she lived and died rich, never finding want in her Exchequer, nor her Chests without Treasure.  
Your faithful Subject finds now (upon his Inquiry) many of these Gentlemen that were Treasurers and Accomptants, to wonder and make it strange, that ever they should live to see the day that any persons should call them in question upon their accounts (and that a just and true account should be ever expected by the State) from all persons that have received and possessed themselves of the public Moneys, Lands, and Merchandise, etc.  
May it pleas your Highness, your humble Suppliant saies, That that opinion of these Gentlemen (for to have a perpetual Indemnity, and to escape , as he most humbly conceiv's, is not grounded upon any just or true reason); for there be hundreds of Orders, Ordinances and Acts to enable them and thousands of people now living to be Collectors of Subsidies, Committee-men, Treasurers, Excise-men, Commissioners of the Customs, trusties for the sale of the King, Queen and Prince's Lands, Bishop's, Deans and Chapters, and other Delinquents Lands, Receivers, Sequestrators, and Collectors of the monthly Taxes, Collectors for Charitable Uses; and all and every one of these persons, by the fundamental Laws of this Nation, their bodies, lands and estates, from the time and hour they became Debtors to the Commonwealth, their Persons, Heirs, Executors and Administrator●, their and every one of their Goods, Tenements, into whose hands they are sold, converted, or do come. And all other Lands, Tenements, Goods and Chattels, which any other person than had, or now have in trust for their use, or which at any time ever hereafter shall have power to dispose of, are all liable to the due and true accounting, paying and answering your Highness and your Successors the moneys, lands and goods, etc. they have received; and this is by many Statutes known to be the law of England. And many of them (before they were admitted to act as trusties, Sequestrators, Committee men or Treasurers) took an Oath not to act contrary to the several Rules, Limitations and Instructions given them by several Acts and Orders of Parliament and Council of Sat, as appeareth by the Journal books and printed Acts and Ordinances of Parliament and Council of State; likewise many of the abovesaid persons, upon strict examination, will be found wilfully perjured, which makes the Offenders liable to fine and ransom for the breach of their Oaths.  
The Laws now in force (to be duly and truly executed for to have an exact account) will bring your Highness and the Commonwealth in million of money: there is not any one of the aforesaid persons can show any Order, Ordinance, Act of the Council of State or Act of Parliament, (that when they were made Committee-men or Treasurers) to give them, or any one of them, a privilege or indemnity to cousin and defraud the State, or to licence any one of them to pocket up the Wealth and public Treasure of the Nation, which they have fraudulently converted to their own use. And when they can show no such privilege, (nor so much as a pardon) they need not make it strange, as many of them do at this day, That they should be forced to give the Commonwealth a just, strict, and true Account, or else their Bodies and Estates, as also their Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns to be liable, till they shall have justly and truly accounted.  
Your Highness' humble subject delivered in W●iting to your Commissioners at Worcester-Hous certain Queries for his better direction to proceed in this service, and most humbly desired their judgements thereupon, that so he might know whether his discoveries were within the cognizance of their Commission. All which he humbly presented unto them, as being very material both for your Highness and the Commonwealths service and he told the Commissioners; that he intended to make their judgement thereupon to him, to be his Rule either to proceed or desist in these discoveries, to avoid unnecessary expense and trouble to himself and others.  
May it pleas your Highness; in June last your Supplicant left with your Highness' servant Mr Kelleway the true copy of the Writing he did deliver to the Commissioners at Worcester-Hous, and most humbly besought him to present the same unto your Highness. And his most humble petition to your Highness was, That you would be graciously pleased, upon your Highness' perusal, to signify your pleasure thereupon to your humble and loyal subject, concerning the premises; that so he might know how to proceed but Mr Kelleway having no convenient opportunity to get your Highness to peruse the same (by reason of your Highness other great and weighty affairs) thereupon your Supplicant received back the said writing again from Mr Kelleway and hath now printed the same.  
The true reason wherefore your humble Subject hath forborn to attend the Commissioners at Worcester-hous, to receiv their order and direction concerning the premises, is, because your most humble and loyal subject intends to put in the same Writing into the Parliament, and there will humbly wait for your Highness' and the Parliaments gracious Commands, and directions therein, And the results of that most high and honourable Court upon the premises what your Highness and your high Court of Parliament in your great and profound wisdoms shall judge fit to be done for the glory of God and good and eas of the nation concerning all the premises.  
May it pleas your Highness; your loyal Subject hath in some things enlarged himself more then in his writing he left with your Highness: he hopes, it is for the honour of God, the benefit of your Highness, and the eas of the good people of this nation in general. His daily prayers to God is, That the public Treasure that is in private men's hands may, by a gracious Act of this ensuing Parliament, be ordered, converted and turned into the right Channel, to save the public Taxes; which will be as a sweet smelling Perfume in the nostrils of the good people of this nation, when they shall see those Caterpillars (that have not only eaten the leavs, but barked the trees of this Commonwealth, using all opressions and fraud to grow rich) be made to restore it. No doubt the work is pleasing and acceptable to God and all good men; and then many men (who have made their religion a cloak to cousin the Commonwealth) may be made to restore their unjust detained Treasure and Lands. Many men (under the shadow of sanctity) having made gain to be great godliness, (instead of godliness) to be great gain.  
May it pleas your Highness; your most humble and loyal Subject, at your Highness' feet, imploreth to be relieved; having been imprisoned almost four years in the Tower of London; viz▪ 1643. to 1647. and two years and nine months of that time kept close prisoner; his estate in lands, houses, offices, goods and moneys being taken from him, to his damage of eleven thousand pounds (there being then, at his bringing up the late King's letter from Oxford in December 1643. not known law or public Ordinance to prohibit him to bring up the said letter to the Lord Maior and City of London); and he had a Pass from the house of Commons to go to Oxford, as appears by the Journals in the Parlament-hous; and he had at the same time a Warrant from the Lord General Essex to go to Oxford, procured by Mr Theophilus Ryley, than Scoutmaster of of the City of London. May it pleas your Highness (by God's Law) Rom. 4. 15. Where there is no Law, there is no Transgression; and by the known Laws of this nation, such and such Actions are declared Crimes, and laws and rules set for the degree of punishing. And he most humbly conceaveth, it is not in any just Judge's power to exceed the punishment for any offence, more than is prescribed and set down by the Law.  
And it is expressly provided for in Magna Charta, that no Freeman shall be taken, imprisoned, or distressed of his freehold or liberties, or any other ways destroyed, but by lawful judgement of his Peers, or by the Law of the Land; That no man should be deferred or denied Justice, or Right.  
Whereas your Supplicant, after he was out of the Tower, petitioned for six years constantly at the Parliament doors the members, and at the Counsel of State, to have a legal Trial by the Parliament, or else by the common Law; And to that end delivered several Petitions to several members of Parliament, yet your Supplicant could never have Justice. Some of the members of the then Parliament, after his many years constant attendance, and great expense, to come to a trial, told him, Had he been guilty, he should never needed to have petitioned the Parliament for a Trial; the Parliament would have granted him a Trial without petitioning for it.  
May it pleas your Highness; This is your most humble Subjects sad condition, groaning under, and having so heavy a sentence as the loss of almost all his estate, to his damage above eleven thousand pounds, almost four years' Imprisonment in the Tower, when there was no law made at his acting this Business, nor at the time of his Commitment, for either punishing of him, or any other, for acting the same thing (which was, bringing up the late King's letter to the City in December 1643) but Ordinances and Orders made after he had brought up the King's Letter, for the Confiscation of his Estate, and Imprisonment of his Person, and a great part of his Estate given to private and particular men. Now with Tears and Sighs he appeal's to Your Highness, for restoring him to his Estate and just Reparation, being oppressed and undone for a Pretended Crime, when there was no Law; no, not so much as the Breach of the Good Behaviour made against it in December 1643, either to Prohibit him or any other to do the same.  
He hath printed this Business, with the several Houses, Offices, Bonds and Money taken from him; To which he doth most humbly refer himself, And Your Suplicant was daily faithfully promised by some worthy Members of the Long Parliament and Counsel of State, (who pitied Your Supplicant's sad Condition, seeing his willingness to serve the Commonwealth) to have Justice and Reparation: and that held up his Spirits, and kept him always to be willing, to the uttermost of his power and strength-beyond the abilities of his Estate, to engage both his time and estate, for many years, to do the then Parliament many and great services, as appears by Your Loyal Subject sprinted Narrative, 1653. The several Particulars were to his Charges and Expense of many Hundred Pounds, as by many Witnesses he can and hath proved.  
Besides, One most Remarkable Service to the Nation in General Your Supplicant did, by the Command of the then Counsel of State, which shall, and aught to stop the mouths of every one, and all his Adversaries, that have, or shall maliciously traduce him as a Malignant, for a man disaffected to the State, or to the true happiness of the Nation in General.  
Your humble Subject did this service when Van Trump was in the Downs. It was no small hazard, his venturing to deliver in a Paper to the Counsel of Srate; in December 1653. which Writing was by the Counsel of State referred to the Committee for Foreign Affairs: Wherein Your Supplicant discovered the fraudulent Practices of the Spanish Ambassador, and Duke Leopoldus and his Agents, to defraud the Parliament of a Vast Sum of Treasure, above three hundred Thousand Pounds; which was brought up into the River as a Prize, in three Ships, viz. The Samson, Salvador, and George.  
And this he did, at the same time, when the Lord Ambassador of Spain, with many other Agents of Duke Leopoldus, and Licensiadoes of the King of Spain 's, living at Antwerp, did all of them affirm both to the Judges in the Admiralty, the Counsel of State, and to the Parliament in November and December 1652, that all the Lading, both Silver and Merchandise in the said Ships, did appertain to the King of Spain and his Subjects, and none other.  
(May it pleas Your Highness, I was far more troubled to find out the frauds of the Spania●ds Claims to the Silver in these Ships, and to bring it forth to be proved by good and Lawful Witnesses, as I have here out of the Admiralty, to Entitle the State to the Silver in these Ships, Then I shall be troubled to find out the Frauds and Deceits of all the Accomptants in General of this Nation, if once I be but impowered by your Highness to have an Inspection on the Accounts, and such Rules followed and executed, as by the Laws and Statutes of this Nation, hath been formerly put in practice: and the whole Charge of this Discovery will not stand the State in 12d the pound, to bring the moneys into the Exchequer: And it may be so managed, not Six pence Charge upon the Pound.)  
The Spaniards in the Court of Admiralty, by their Counsel, pleaded, that they ought not to have the Onus probandum cast on them; being their Ships and Lading, and came from a free Port, viz. Cadis in Spain; and were consigned to Free Ports, Dunkirk and Ostend, that came over from beyond Seas purposely upon this Business: And they affirmed solemnly to the Court of Admiralty, that there was no goods, silver, or Merchandise aboard all or any of the three Ships that appertained to the Dutch of the United Provinces, or French.  
Whereupon, there was an Order of Parliament, about the beginning of December 1652, to the Judges of the Admiralty to proceed to Judgement, according to the Cours of the Court, concerning the Ships Samson, Salvador and George, and the Expectation of many hundred me● was every day after to see the Ships discharged: and a day appointed for sentence.  
Thereupon, some of the late Counsel of State finding, that in some of your most humble Subject's Writings, he had discovered many secret ways how Merchants transport Gold and Silver, both out of this English Nation, and Foreign Parts: and some of them conceiving, that if Your Supplicant were impowered, and commanded to find out the Spaniard 's Frauds; He could do it.  
Whereupon, the Counsel of State sent for Your Supplicant, and asked him, if he could and would serve the Parliament faithfully, concerning these silver Ships: And if he could, by good and legal Witnesses, disprove the Spanish Embassador's Claim to this Silver, in the Ships, Samson, Salvador, and George, the Committee for Foreign Affairs (in the behalf of the Counsel of State and Parliament) promised Your Supplicant he should be restored to all his Estate, or the value which had been taken from him, or the Sum of Eleven Thousand Pounds in Lieu thereof: and should have of the Parliament a good Reward over and above.  
After, within two day's time Your Supplicant waited on the Lord Bradshaw, and Committee for Foreign Affairs, and told them, he would undertake to disprove the Spanish Embassador's Claim to all this Silver, by Legal and undeniable Proof: And would prove, by clear Testimony, That there was several great quantities of Silver in these Ships that did not appertain to the King of Spain, or his Subjects; but to the Dutch of the United Provinces. Thereupon the Counsel of State by their Order of December the 13, 1652, Ordered Your Subject to assist, and be in the nature of a Remembrancer, and to repair to Doctor Walker from time to time, who is the Commonwealth 's Advocate for the prosecuting of these Ships (Samson, Salvador, and George,) which accordingly he did.  
Thereupon, the day the ships were to be discharged the Court of Admiralty, your humble and faithful Subject made his protest in the Court of Admiralty against the Judges and their Proceed, as appears by the Certificate of the Officers of the Mint herewith presented: And your Supplicant likewise declared in the Court of Admiralty, that the Judges (but at their perils) should not proceed to clear or discharge all or any of the afore-named ships, (as the Samson, Salvador, or George) till your Supplicant's witnesses were examined in the behalf of the Commonwealth. This was Decem. 17. 1643.  
Whereupon the Court of Admiralty required your Supplicant to appear before the Counsel of State, that afternoon at three of the clock, to answer before the Counsel of State to their Charge for your Supplicants Action and Protest in the Court of Admiralty; your Supplicants Protest being made against and contrary to an Order of Parliament, as Judge Exton affirmed in the Court of Admiralty.  
There was many hundred of Merchants in the Admiralty, the Spanish Ambassadors Secretary, Duke Leopoldus his Agents, and several Spaniards, when your Supplicant made his Protest against the discharge of these silver ships, silver and merchandise: And that very day in the afternoon, at the Counsel of State, before the Judges of the Admiralty, upon reading of some papers, your Supplicant humbly presented against the discharge of the ships (the Samson, Salvador, and George) and all their silver and lading. Upon a full debate before the Counsel of State, these three ships and silver were all (by Order of the Counsel) stayed; and your Supplicant had thanks given him by the Counsel for his faithful service; and presently commanded with all diligence to make his proof, whereby to disprove the Spanish Ambassadors Claims.  
In the further prosecution of this Business, your Supplicant received several Orders of the Counsel of State and of your Highness' Counsel, which ordered him from time to time to make his Addresses, and advise with Doctor Walker (your Highness' Advocate) in this Business.  
Doctor Walker knows, that for 16 months together, your Supplicant employed many people in this Business, against the ships (Samson, Salvador, and George) their silver and lading. Your Subject employed several persons in the translation of Spanish and Dutch Papers, which are in the registry of the Admiralty; other persons your Supplicant daily employed amongst the Passengers and Seamen that belonged to these ships, to find out and know what silver appertained and belonged to Holland, and all other matters that might tend to the discovery of this Business, constantly (as I said) employing about ten men in this Service, as appears by their several Affidavits, for near sixteen months together. All these men's expenses at their meetings, Boat-hire, and payment of them for their time, your most humble Supplicant out of his own purse hath discharged. And this he did, to enable himself to do this service, and to find out the bottom of the Spanish Ambassadors fraud, in claiming this silver. Your Supplicant (at the earnest entreaty of Doctor Walker, as appears by his Warrants to the Examiner and Register of the Admiralty) did cause to be breviated and read, and took notes of many thousand sheets of paper: some papers he caused to be translated out of Dutch and Spanish into English, concerning the silver ships. For almost three months together, this was your Supplicants and several men's works; viz. one Mr Glover, that had lived a long time in Holland, and Mr Baldwyne, that had lived in Spain, as also your Supplicant. and others which were daily employed about this Business, as the Registers and Examiner's of the Admiralty can testify: and all this was done by your Supplicant at his own charges, never receiving a penny as yet, either from the Parliament, Counsel of State, or your Highness, for all his disbursments: and this your Supplicant did, at the command of the Counsel of State, & at the entreaty of Doctor Walker.  
And had your Supplicant failed to make good his allegations, and not to have proved what he undertook to do, he had been totally a second time undone. Your Supplicant must confess, that the old Counsel of State in December 1652. many of them told him, If he should fail of disprooving the Spanish Ambassadors Claim, and could not prove what he had alleged to the Counsel of State, that in these ships there was silver appertained to the Dutch of the United Provinces, That then his protesting against the discharge of this silver, would totally undo your Supplicant, and be his utter ruin.  
Your Highness, and your most honourable Counsel, will see it clearly proved, the great expense, pains and hazard which your humble Subject hath been at till this very day, your Petitioner paying interest for above five hundred pounds; which money, every penny, he expended in this service (as appears by the Oaths of several persons which your Supplicant employed, and they were privy to the laying out of the said sums of money only in this service. (These original Papers remain in Mr Jessops and Mr Scobels custody.) And your humble Supplicant trusts in God and your Highness, that he shall have his Estate restored, or the full value, for doing this great service, according to the than promise of the then Counsel of State, whereof your Highness was then a Member.  
May it pleas your Highness; Had the long Parliament and Counsel of State coined the money which your Supplicant stayed, or altered the property thereof, he is really assured by many honourable Gentlemen of the long Parliament and the than Counsel of State, that he should have had full satisfaction with thanks for this great service: But they could not pay the Reward, before they received the Benefit. I humbly say, The old Counsel of State set me (your loyal Subject) to beat the bush for them, but your Highness caught the Bird; and since your Supplicant hath acted by several Orders of your Highness' Counsel, being promised by them a just and good Reward, I do most humbly implore your Highness for the same.  
Your Petitioner hath printed these Examinations, Witnesses, Transactions and Passages, and humbly tenders them at your Highness' and the Parliaments feet; that so your Highness and the Parliament may see the service your Supplicant hath done. Had he not taken this course, it had been impossible for him to have clearly stated it to your Highness and the Parliament, and also to the whole Nation and world in general, what charges and pains he hath been at to do this service. This will clearly show to the world the just cause the then Parliament and Counsel of State had in 1652 for the staying these ships (Samson, Salvador, and George) and their silver, from undeniable Testimonies. Upon the sight whereof, the mouths of many clamoring merchants will be stopped, when they see upon what grounds this silver was stayed, and the clear witnesses and proofs for to justify the truth, to disproov the Spanish Ambassadors and Spaniards Claims to all this silver in these ships.  
May it pleas your Highness; it is out of the mouths of many of the Passengers in these ships that (this Voyage) came from Spain aboard these very ships, all able and credible witnesses; they have confessed,  
1. That great quantities of this silver and merchandise was delivered a ship board in Spain for the account of the Hollanders and Merchants of Amsterdam, and other parts of the United Provinces.  
2. By several Advises from beyond Seas from Holland and Spain (by the Parliaments Agent at St Lucre's in Spain Mr Wilson, and Mr Pompey's Calendrens Letters from Holland, and Mr Steniers Letter, intercepted here in England) that these ships were bound for Holland, and a great part of the silver for merchants of Holland and Zealand: Also the Counsel of State had advice from Holland, that some of the same Fleet that set sail from Spain at the same time with these three silver ships, being taken by the Parliaments men of War at sea, were discharged from them, pretending themselves to be bound for Hamborough, and so got discharged; and immediately, when they had got from our Fleet, sailed directly into Amsterdam. The ships that so fraudulently cleared themselves and got into Amsterdam, after they were in the possession of the Parliaments ships, were worth near upon a million of money: had those ships been brought to London, that Business had broke the Hollanders hearts.  
3. It is proved, that when these ships set sail to go their voyage, they all set sail from Holland Ports.  
4. It is proved by several merchants of London (that have put in their claims to several parcels of silver in these three ships) That several parcels of silver then aboard these ships, was loaden and put aboard these ships for the proper account of merchants of London. Which clearly shown the Spanish Ambassadors Claims to all this silver (as his Master's silver, and only for his Catholic Majesty, and his Subjects account) to be a notortous State trick, and forged to get the Treasure out of the States hands, that was in these ships. And if the Spanish Ambassador could have done it, he was to have had many thousand pounds of the owners for doing of this State Business; but (by God's assistance) your humble Supplicant prevented him, to his great expense and danger of his life for doing this service.  
5. It is confessed and proved, That several parcels of silver aboard these ships, were entered in Bills of Lading by feigned names, and colorably to avoid the taking of the silver and moneys, likewise to avoid the adjudication and condemnation of the same, if these silver ships and their lading were seized on; and that the Bills of Lading now produced in Court of Admiralty, were forged at sea, when they heard we had wars with Holland, and all the Dutch names of the Bills altered. This is proved.  
6. There is in the Admiralty the State's General's Commission to De Wit and De Rutter (their Vice-admirals') to guard these ships from the English: And this was done upon the petition of the merchants of Amsterdam to the State's General. These Letters and original Commissions under the great Seal of Holland I have printed; and the Originals can be produced when there is occasion. Without doubt the merchants of Amsterdam would not have petitioned the State's Generals for a Convey for these ships, had not the Lading and silver belonged to them.  
7. Your Highness will see (upon the whole matter and prosecution of this Business) your most humble Supplicant hath left no stone unturned, nor spared any cost hazard or pains to do the Parliament (and since your Highness) this service.) And your humble Supplicant is fully assured, That it is a far easier work for him to discover the frauds of the Accomptants and Committee men of this Nation, if he had a Commission to be your Highness' Remembrancer, to see this Business effectually prosecuted, than to have made this Discovery of these silver ships.  
8. He hath clearly proved several unfree goods and parcels of silver aboard these ships, appertaining to the Dutch, (than our Enemies) which hath made all the silver and merchandise liable to a seizure and confiscation.  
9 May it pleas your Highness; In France, one parcel of goods found a shipboard, and consigned to an enemy, confiscates all the ship and goods. In Spain and in Holland, one barrel of Butter or a case of Pistols consigned but as a present to a friend, shall confiscate both ship and goods. And your humble Subject hopes, the same Law that is civil for them beyond the Seas to judge and put upon our Merchants and their Ships and Merchandise there, shall not be held in England to be an uncivil Law, and a breach of Jus Gentium, when it is but the same measure of Justice which hath been in this Business administered to Foreigners here, which Foreigners administer to our Merchants beyond the Seas? And this is a known truth in many Merchant's cases, that had not so much Justice in Spain, as we have given to Foreigners here, even in these their silver Ships.  
Here follow the several Witnesses, Examinations and Proofs against the Silver Ships, (Samson, Salvador, and George) according to the Original Records.  

M R JOACHIM PEESLER, Chirurgeon upon the great Samson, (Otto George Master, above 36 years of age) testifieth; viz.  
1. THat as they were at Cales, they took in all their Lading of Silver, the most of which was brought in by night; amongst the rest, 40 bars of Silver loaden by the order of a Portugees at St Lucre's, and consigned to his Brother (a Jew dwelling in Amsterdam).  
2. When they had been ten days at sea, the Purser was ordered by the Captain to go into the Forecastle, and take his Book and blot out all the names of the Hollanders and Zealanders, and, in their place, to insert abundance of other names: After which, they looked it over, and found fault with some names that remained unaltered, saying, They were too well known; so he put other strange names in their rooms. Then they examined it again the third time, and found some names that they thought were too well known in England; so he dashed out their names, and put in others in their rooms; and then caused them, after the third time of Examination, to be written out fair. And he saith, That the Pursers' Book that is now to be seen, is that which is written out fair, since the three alterings of the Original Book, by blotting out several Hollanders names; the original blotted Book being not to be found.  
3. There were 4 bars of Silver (as they lay at Eriff) brought out of the Hold; and by reason they were too big to be carried away, they were put into a barrel of salt by the Steersman and another: three of which bars are yet aboard, for want of an opportunity to convey them a shore; but the fourth is carried a shore.  
4. When the Silver was taken in at Cales, they agreed to sign several Bills of Lading for Ostend, though they were consigned to Amsterdam (as is well known to the abovesaid Joachim Peesler); for he heard Laders themselves say at Cales, That though the Bills of Lading were signed for Ostend, yet the Silver was to be sent to Amsterdam.  
5. He saith, That at Cales he would have been freed from the ship Samson; for that the Master would not tell him to what place he was bound: whereupon the Master told him, That if he would go for Amsterdam, he might continue his service aboard; for that the ship should first go for Amsterdam: but afterwards hearing of the Wars between England and Holland, the Master told him they were bound for Ostend.  
6. He saith, That out of the Elias, and two other ships, (of which were Masters, Claes Peterson, and Daniel Ferrine, all belonging to Holland) several parcels of silver were brought aboard the Samson in Cales road, and remained aboard the Samson, when she was taken by the English; the said Joachim being aboard the Elias, when the silver was thence sent aboard the Samson.  
7. He saith, That the Steersman, Peter Naut brought on shore from the ship Samson a parcel of silver, about the bigness of a large Sugar loaf, which they well knew did belong to one Daniel Ferrine, a Master of a ship in Amsterdam.  
I. D. Joachim Peesler. Dated March 21. 1652.  
We underwritten do witness, That the above Articles were affirmed to be true by the said Joachim Peesler, who subscribed the same in our presence.  


William. Reymes,  
I. Carleton,  
Jonathan Symonds.    
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

Joachim Peesler, sometime Chirurgeon upon the Ship Samson, now riding at Eriff, whereof is Captain Otto George.  
MAketh oath, that the said Otto George, meeting him in the street, called him Villain, and gave him many other opprobrious words, and came toward him, and laid hold upon a weapon the said Otto had about him, and part drew the same; whereupon, one that was in Company with the said Otto George, held his arm, and would not suffer him further to approach the said Joachim; whereupon the said Otto replied, that he should catch him on the other side: And the said Joachim doth verily believe, if the man had not held the said Otto George, that he had then and there wounded him.  
Jonathan Symonds maketh oath, That he hath declared the whole substance of what is above written in Dutch to the said Joachim Peesler, who affirmeth the same to be the whole truth; and he saith, that he hath declared to him, the said Joachim, the substance of the oath he is to take.  
I. D.  
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

This quarrel did arise upon the Confession of Joachim Peesler (Chirurgeon of the ship Samson) when Otto George, the Captain of the Ship Samson, had heard that he had discovered the truth for the State, concerning the altering of the Dutch Bills of lading in this Ship; and Otto George and the Spaniards malice was so great to Joachim Peesler for making this discovery, that (I have heard it credibly reported) they poisoned him shortly after, and then reported he died of the French Pox.  
1. Jacob Elaes' testifieth, that so soon as they came into the 
Without all doubt, these Papers that were fling into the Sea, were the true and original Bills of Lading made in Spain.  Downs, and the Master gone to London, that the Steersman, Peter Naut, took up a bundle of writings, and tied them first to an Iron Barr, and then threw them into the sea. And the said Jacob knoweth this to be true for; he delivered the Iron to the Steersman, and saw him tie it fast, and throw it into the Sea.  
2. Since the said Ship was brought into the River of Thames, there hath several considerable quantities of silver been carried out of the Ship, particularly as they lay at Eriff, several silver bowls and dishes, 16 silver trenchers, two silver saltsellars, 6 great silver dishes, about 7 or 8 bags of pieces of Eight, which were carried out by night, and packed in canvas that so they might, make no nois; And that Otto George and the Steersman knew of the unlading of them; for the most part was carried to Otto George's lodgings.  
3. There is brought on shore four small bags of pieces of Eight, being the proper goods of Claus Peterson, Skipper and Burger of Amsterdam.  
4. That when they were at Cales, upon their first loading of goods, the Captain told them, They should first go for Amsterdam; but afterwards hearing of the Wars between England and Holland, the Master told him, They were bound for Ostend.  
5 The Steersman Peter Naut, hearing what I had declared in flinging the writings overboard, asked me, Whether or no I had given in such testimony: to which I answered, I had; and would justify it: whereupon the said Steersman, Peter Naut, struck me on the face, that I bled; and so the said Steersman went out of the room, without further denying the truth thereof.  
6. Peter Naut, the Steersman, brought on shore from the Samson a parcel of silver about the bigness of a Sugar-loaf, which he knew belonged to Daniel Ferrine, a Master of a Ship in Amsterdam.  
I. D. Jacob Eliares. Dated March 21. 1652.  
We underwritten do witness, That the above Articles were affirmed to be true by the said Jacob Eliares, who subscribed the same in our presence.  


I. Carleton,  
Will. Reymes,  
Jonathan Symonds.    
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.  
[There was many score of thousand pounds stolen out of these Ships, while the silver lay in the River, by Dutch and others; and had it not been unladen but by the State left on shipboard, before this time it would all have been (in all likelihood) stolen away.]   

The Testimony of Richard Scot, taken this 15 of December 1652.  
WHo saith, That in September last there lay a ship, called the Prophet Elias, belonging to Horn in Amsterdam, and (to his best knowledge) bound for Holland; the Skipper of the same ship died at Cales; and being dead, the Deponent saith, That the Owners of this ship, being part owners of the Samson, did sell the said ship to some Spanish merchants at Cales: at which time, here was taken out of the ship the Elias (by the men and boat of the Samson) a parcel of money, containing fifteen or sixteen bags, and four or five bags of Cocheneel, and brought it on board the Samson; where (so far as this Deponent knoweth) it is still remaining.  
Richard Scot  
Witness,  


James Reynolds,  
Jonathan symmond's,   I. D.  
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

BArnard Claeson, of Groeningen in Westfreyzland, saith, That he is 20 years old, and that he hath been aboard the Samson nine months and ninteen days, and that he came first aboard at Talloon, (she being taken by Frenchmen) and from thence to Genoa, where she took in most part of her Lading; and from thence went to Lighorn, where they took in a small parcel of Goods more; And that their end in going to Lighorn was, to look for two Holland men of War there, to conduct them to Cales, where they lay three or four months for the silver Fleet; And that at Cales he knows there were taken in Dutch goods, (by the Skippers acknowledgement) but after the ●umor of the War between England and Holland, the Skipper said, That he had sent a shore all the Dutch goods; but, to this Deponents best knowledge, there went not above three or four parcels on shore: And saith, that he supposeth these Goods were pretended to be sent on shore, upon the account of our Differences; And he further saith, That when they were in Cales, before they were Laden, they said they should go for Holland; but after they had taken in the silver; then they gave out, that they were bound for Ostend; And he further saith, That most part of this silver was taken in by night in small parcels; And saith, That the Goods they took in at Genoa were delivered at Cales; And saith, That there was a very great quantity of Goods aboard the said ships, when they were reported to go for Holland; And that he knoweth not that the said Goods were laid on shore again.  
December 20. 1652. Bernard Clason, Thomas Angel,  
The substance abovesaid is verbatim acknowledged by Tho. Angel, In presence of us,  
James Reynolds, Jonathan symmond's.  
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

April 18. 1653. The Testimony of Barnard Clason, about the age of 22 years,  
SAith, He was taken aboard the Samson, (Otto George Master) at Tolloon in France, and sailed with him from thence to Genoa, and to Allicant, so to Malaga, then to Cales, where at first he gave it out he went for Amsterdam; and not only the Captain, but the Steersman said the same.  
He further saith, That he heard a Merchant's man say to the Steersman, he had two Barks of Ox or Cow hides, that were to go for Amsterdam; and asked the Steersman if their ship was bound for Amsterdaam; to which the Steersman answered, Yes, they were bound for Amsterdam; but after hearing of the Wars between England and Holland, than they gave it out they were bound for Ostend.  
I. D. Barnard Clason.  
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

The Certification or Information of John Perrin, one of the Ships company of the Vice-Admiral of the Ships now under arrest, which pretend to be of Hamborough, called the Salvador, as followeth:  
IMprimis, The said John Perrin (being about 32 years of age) doth certify, That he being an English man, born at Tonge, near Sittingbourn in the County of Kent, That he being about his occasions at Cades in Spain, (where the aforesaid ship Laded) he was entertained by ●he master of the said Salvador, for wages, (as they pretended) ●o go for Ostend: and coming homewards, (as the Ships company was at prayer) one Thomas Thomason, an Italian Passenger in the said ship, demanded of a Spanish merchant, Wither the said ship was bound? to which the ●aid merchant replied, That they intended for the Downs, ●here to take in a Pilot; And said, that they would from ●hence go to Ostend; And that the most part of the goods were to go for Amsterdam: Also, that at the same time, when the said Salvador came from Cades, there were seven ships more came from thence with her; And that ●he master's mate of the great Samson told him the said John Perrin, that three of the said ships were going to St Mallows, and four of them to Ostend; whereof five of the said seven ships are here in the River of Thames.  
This John Perrin lives at Feversham in Kent, when he is in England.  
per me John Perrin.  
This Paper was delivered to me December 14. 1652. by Mr Richard Pitts of the Tower; In the presence of  
I. D. John Reynolds.  
THO. VIOLET:  
A true Copy.   

The Declaration of Philip Brown concerning the Ship Samson, said to be of Lubeck Nou. 2●. 165●.  
SAith, that he was shipped in the said Ship at Talloon; about the beginning of the summer; from whence the Ship sailed to Genoa, and from thence to Lighorn, where they expected to be conveyed by two Hollanders (who were gone the night before they got thither) which should have conducted them to Cales; where, when they arrive●, they lay seven weeks: and this deponent saith, that in that time he took in by night for 16. or 17. nights together several parcels of silver; and he saith further that (being one night walking upon the deck with the Master's mate) the said Brown asked him whether or no the said ship with her lading would not be Prize to this State, in case it should be taken by any of the Parliaments Fleet: He answered, that he thought the Plate would prove Prize, by reason that most part of the Money was returned for goods out of the West Indies, which were sent thither by the Hollanders: And this Deponent saith further, that he (understanding the difference between this Nation and the Hollanders, (being very desirous to come for his own Country) desired the Master to clear him, which he denied, And told him, that unless he would go with him to the Port whether he was bound, he would pay him no wages; but he would not confess whether he was bound: But the reason why this Deponent left the said ship was, because he heard, by all Circumstances, that they were bound for Holland.  
Philip Brown.  
Witness  
James Reynolds. J. D:  
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

Wednesday the 30th. day of March 1653.  
JOhn Marshal a Waiter on board the Samson, Otto George Master, declareth, that on Monday last the said George came aboard the Samson, and shortly after fell into discourse with this Affimant, and one William Sharp, another Waiter aboard, and told them, that he was questioned concerning a good quantety of silver that was said to be taken away out of the said ship; And then said, for my part I never had away but 400 pieces of Eight, which was my own money, and my plate for my own table. 'tis true (said he) there were three bars and an half bar of silver, under my , which lay there after the English had seized the said Ship, and by my direction, the Steersman took them from thence, to dispose of them in some secret place, And took an Hogshead, and filled it with Salt, and hid the three bars and an half amongst the Salt; and afterwards the Cook, having occasion to use some salt, went to fetch some out of that Hogshead, and there he found the silver aforesaid: And now (said the said Otto George) the half bar is missing, but for the three Barrs they shall be forth coming. And then added (which he had also said divers other times) that if the Ships and Lading should be made Prize, he would be answerable, or else he would be hanged, or they should have his life for it. And this, or to this effect, the said Mr George, at the time and place aforesaid, spoke and declared freely, and of his own accord, to the parties aforesaid in the English Tongue.  
John Martial. William Sharp. I. D.  
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

An Information given to the Commissioners for Dutch Prizes, December 27. 1652.  
YEsterday, being the 26th of December 1652. I Humphrey Faircliffe a Waiter for the Custom house, on board the Great Samson, now riding at Eriffe, had some discourse with the Cook's mate, who told me, he intended to come up to the Captain of the said Ship, as this day, who (said he) is in London, to ask him for some money; and that if he would not give him money as he had given other folk, viz. the Steersman, the Scrivan, the Gunner, the Cooper, and Jacob the Cabin Boy, and many others; that then he would go up to the States, and discover so much as would make the goods and Ship Prize▪ altogether: and would declare no more than what he had heard with his ears and seen with his eyes.  
He said, he heard the Boatswain speak to the Steersman between Deck, and said if an English Ship did meet with them, and knew that the Silver was Holland goods, they would take it for Prize. And the Steersman did make answer, so they would, and the Ship too. And another standing by said, the Ship was too great to go into Ostend: To whom he answered, that they intended to lie without till the boyer's came from Holland to fetch away the Silver: and then the Ship being lighter they could go into Ostend.  
He said also, that he saw them where they had bestowed all the Silver, and that it lay a baste the Mast, but the Ship swimming too much by the Stern, they brought a great deal of the silver and laid it on both sides before the Mast.  
And he further told me, that all the Silver is Holland's goods and more of the other goods, as Hides. And when he had so said, Peter the Boy came in and interrupted us, otherwise I had known more of his mind at that time.  
He also told me, that for a month together, whilst they were at Cales, they knew no other but they were to go for Holland; but afterward, when the News came that the English and the Dutch were fallen out, that then he said, they took the goods out of the Holland ship they were in, and gave it out, they were to carry the goods to Ostend.  
All this was spoken and done on the day and year before named.  
And on Tuesday the 28 of December, 1652. I met again with the Cook's Mate aforesaid, and he told me, that he had received ten pieces of Eight of his Captain, and now he would go aboard again.  
And one Erasmus, who belongeth also to the same ship, saith, that he had got money of the said Captain, and he would not go aboard any more.  
Humphrey Faircliffe.  
Humphrey Fairc●●ffe made oath of the truth of that which is contained in this Paper, the 28th day of December, 1652. before me  
Tho. Exton.  
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

The Information of Stephen Prickle Merchant.  
THis Informant saith, that about the 30th of November last, stilo novo; being then in Holland, and travelling in the Skute from Delft to the Hague,, (there being in the Boat divers Dutchmen of quality, dwelling in Delft,) he heard them discourse about the taking of Ships by the English; especially the taking of the last Plate ships, now under the Notion of Hamburgers. In which Discourse one of them (being one of the Lords of Delft, and a Member of the East India Company there,) did confidently affirm to the rest of the Gentlemen, that the silver on board the Hamburgers, now in custody of the English, did belong to several Dutchmen of Amsterdam and Harlem: And further said, that although it might be pretended, that the silver did belong to Hamburgh, yet at last it would fall upon their own heads, his reason being this, That the English were subtle enough to find out the ground of the business.  
Febr. 14. 1652. London. Steephen Puckle.  
Witnessed by  


William Randall, Clerk to the Commissioners.  
Edward Birch. J. D.    
THO. VIOLET.  
A true Copy.   

The States General's Letter: The Original, under the great Seal of Holland, is in the Court of Admiralty.  
THe State's General of the United Provinces: Faithful and well-beloved; That which we have resolved to day, concerning the protecting and defending of these Ships bound from Spain towards the United Netherlands, which are expected, you will see out of the enclosed Extract of our Resolutions; according to the Contents thereof, you are to govern yourselves, wherewith concluding, we recommend you to God's protection.  
E. Hooleck In the Hague. 15 Sept. 1652.  
By order and appointment of the said Lords States General in the absence of the Griffer.  
J. Sprouson.   

To our faithful Friend Witte Cornelis De Witte Vice-Admiral of Holland and West Friesland.  
Dominica, 15th Sept. 1652.  
Upon what hath been presented by the Lords Deputies of the Province of Holland, in the Assembly after deliberation had, It is resolved, that in pursuance of their high and mighty Resolution of the 31 of August last passed, do declare by these, that the Vice-Admiral de Witte, and the Vice-Commander de Ruyter shall be written unto, That the ships coming from Spain towards these United Netherlands, and expected home, shall not only be protected against the English, but against all others whomsoever, who would offer to damnify them.  
E. Hooleck.   

An Extract out of the REGISTER of the secret Resolutions of the High and Mighty Lords, the State's General of the United Netherlands.  
Die Sabbati, August 31. 1652.  
THere being produced the second time in the Assembly, the Report of the Lord Verbolt for the Sea affairs, in pursuance of their Resolution of the 26th Currant, They have perused and examined the Letter of the College of Admiralty at Amsterdam, written from thence the 24 of the same month; together with a Petition, signed by a good number of Merchants of the same Town, in the behalf of themselves and others likewise interessed in the Spanish Trade, concerning the security and bringing in salvo the Ships and Silver which is expected out of Spain; That the Commander of the Fleet of this State sailing, do convoy aswell the Ostend Ships as the Hamburgers ships laded with Silver, in case they should refuse to it. Whereupon, after deliberation held, it was resolved, That there shall be a Letter sent to the rere-Admiral, De Rutter, that in case they in the said Channel should meet any Ostend ships, or Hamburgers, coming (as aforesaid) laden from Spain, they shall convoy these ships at this conjuncture of time; viz. the said Ostend ships to the coast of Flanders, and the others into this Country; Although it be not according to their former Instructions, whether they would or not, or would not consent to it.  
H. Bevering.  
This agreeth with the said Register in the absence of the Graffer,  
J. Sprouson.   
These Original Warrants and Orders of the State's General, and Petition of the Merchants of Amsterdam, were taken in a Dutch ship that was going with them to Cornelius de Witte, vice-Admiral of Holland and Westfriezland, and brought to Dover to M R Vincent Delabarre and M R Thomas Delavale, merchants there, before they came to the vice-Admiral of Holland; who, finding them to be of great Concernment and service to the State, acquainted Your Supplicant therewith; and they sent them up to the Lord Bradshaw and Counsel of State, to be made use of for the service of the Commonwealth; to their great Commendations for their Fidelity to this Nation in this particular.  
An Extract translated out of a High Dutch Letter from the Hague, bearing date the 15th of Novem. 1652.  
THere was a Report the other day at Amsterdam, the Hague, and here, That the English had taken our Spanish Fleet; which made many look very dolefully, That at Amsterdam 30 per cent. was offered for Insurance, but 50 per cent. was demanded. But this is found to be an Apocrypha, especially if we may believe the report which is come from Antwerpt; for the Letters which came thence, of the 14th instant, do mention, That nine of the said ships were got to Dunkirk and Ostend, which had the most part of the money in them; We do long (with fear) for the confirmation.  
I. D. P. Colandrin.  
So that although the Port be Dunkirk or Ostend where these ships pretended to unlade, yet the Adventurers and Owners are of Amsterdam. And this you shall see clearly confirmed out of several Papers of the State's General, upon the Petition of the merchants of Amsterdam, in the behalf of themselves and others, ●nteressed in the Spanish Trade. There were above thirty other witnesses, all passengers in these ships, which I brought daily to the Admiralty to Mr Budd, the State's Proctor, to be legally examined in the Court of Admiralty; who could and would have discovered the whole bottom of the Spaniards frauds in the claiming of this Silver: But through the neglect of Mr Budd, and the craft and vigilancy of the Claimers, and the Spanish Ambassadors Secretary, the witnesses that I would have examined for the State, (being most of them Passengers in these ships, this voyage from Spain) they had moneys given them, and were packed away out of the Nation, before they were examined in the Admiralty for the State: Of which abuse and injury to the State, I heavily complained to the then Counsel of State; but the Counsel was dissolved two days after they had made an Order for the strict examination of this Business, which was about the 20th of April 1653. Mr Budd, the State's Proctor, was too great with the Spanish Ambassadors Secretary. And that was the reason why my witnesses were not all examined in the Admiralty, but let pass beyond the Seas without examination.  
In the Registry I find, amongst many other proofs, this following.  
IN a Letter to Mr Samuel Wilson from Mr James Wilson, Agent for the Parliament at Cades, dated October 19th new stile, 1652. This day goes away several ships bound (as they give out) for Ostend; and Bills of Lading made thither, but the Port is for Amsterdam: There goeth amongst them 7 or 800 Potaccoes of Tobacco, as near as we can guests.  
[This was written out of Spain by the Parliaments Agent Mr James Wilson, who is now in London (as I am informed); and, no doubt, can give a reason of his writing the same to Mr Samuel Wilson, the Commissioner for Prize Goods.]  
In the Registry of the Admiralty. 
BErnard Clason, John Perrin, and Thomas Angel, Passengers in the Salvador, Samson and George, confess, That there were eight Ships in one Fleet, when they came from Cades: And though they were to go to Ostend, most part of the goods were to go to Amsterdam.  
The like doth several other Witnesses confess; And that these three ships set sail from Cades 19th of October 1652. And when these ships were a lading, they were bound for Amsterdam: And when they heard of the War between Us and Holland, than they gave out they were for Ostend.   
SEveral humble Proposals I made to Doctor Walker; and from him to the Committee of the Counsel of State appointed to take an Account of your Supplicant touching this Business, for sending of Commissioners into Spain, to examine the Laders in Spain, concerning the the Claims of this Silver: which is the common way they do it, not by way of Mandamus, but by Entreaty, according to the Cours of the Civil Law beeween all Countries who have Amity one with another, This is daily done: Which had they sent Commissioners, There is not one of the Spanish Merchants that are nominated in the Bills of Lading in the Court of Admiralty, that durst have owned the Transporting of Silver out of Spain, for it is loss of Life and Estate in Spain, to Transport Silver (if you confess it, or be taken doing it) And whether we had Peace or War with Spain, the Silver had been all the States: For what silver belonged to Holland, the Dutch they could not Claim, by the last Articles of Peace, And what the Spaniard Claimed here, by Merchants, would have all been denied in Spain; for no man there would confess the Transporting Treasure: And if the Bills of Lading and the Laders were denied to be true in Spain, the State had done their work.  
I have stated this business at large, to show the great Expense, trouble, hazard and pains, the hard and difficult ways I found out; I made use of Seamen that were Passengers, Merchants, English, Strangers, all sors of people, and all interests, to effect this service, I took pains night and day.  
And I most humbly say, if I be impowered by your Highness to have a full Inspection into the Frauds of the Accomptants and Treasurers of this Nation with power to act as Remembrancer, And to have the same power (as Doctor Walker gave me in the Admlraltie) to inspect into all manner of proceed of Committee men and Accomptants and Frauds of the Nation, as aforesaid, I will most humbly undertake (upon the peril of my life) to bring your Highness in many hundred Thousand Pounds: Provided I may have just reward and encouragement for what I have done already.  
Upon my humble Petition to your Highness and the Counsel for my satisfaction for the staying the Silver Ships, The Counsel of State made this order.  

Wednesday, 16 January, 1652.  
ORdered, the humble petition of Thomas Violet, with the 
These Papers annexed to my Petition are the Original Affidavits of my Expenses and Charges in this Business, and Warrants from Doctor Walker and the Counsel to require me to do this Service: and they remain now in Mr Jessop's custody.  Papers annexed be referred to General Montague and Colonel Sidenham, to be by them considered of, And the fact, with their opinion reported to the Counsel.  
Henry Scobell Clerk of the Council.   

Tuesday, 22 January, 1655.  
ORdered that Mr Srickland be added to the Committee to whom the Petition of Thomas Violet is referred.  
Henry Scobell, Clerk of the Counsel.   
Upon these Orders of the most Honourable Counsel I writ this Letter ensuing.  
A Copy of my Letter to the Lord Bradshaw.  
May it please your Honour,  
SInce the Order for the taking up the Accounts of this Nation, I have found in Mr John Corbet's Custody (he being one of the Committee for Salop,) three of my Bonds of 2000 pounds, for the Payment of one Thousand Pounds to me Thomas Violet; and the State never received Penny for them. Whereupon, I have Petitioned his Highness and the Counsel of State for these three Bonds (as part of my satisfaction) and Mr Corbet hath been sent to by Mr Scobell, and was with the Committee Yesterday, and confessed that he had the Bonds, and that the State never received Penny of them. This, Mr Corbet told my Lord Strickland and Colonel Jones, and that he would deliver them unto me if he had the Counsels Order. I have likewise Petitioned the Counsel, that, for the present, I might have five hundred pounds, in part of my satisfaction; which money I laid out in the Prosecution of the silver Ships, Samson, Salvador, and George. And this I have proved upon the Oaths of Five men: And Dr Walker and the Commissioners for Prize goods have sent these Affidavits up to the Counsel for my satisfaction. And these Certificates and Affidavits remain sealed together in Mr Jessop's custody. And I had the Counsel of States faithful promise (but chief and above all, I relied upon Your Honour for the Restoration of my Estate or the Value) the Parliament having taken from me to the value of above Eleven Thousand Pounds in Houses, Lands, Bonds, Moneys and Offices; when by God's law nor the law of this Nation, at the time when they took away my Estate, I had not forfeited one penny. If it had not been for my protesting against the Discharge of the Silver, and my prosecution of that business, the Silver had all been let slip out of the Nation. I most humbly beseech your Honour to acquaint Mr Scobell of my several services; and desire him, that he be careful to draw up my order for my bonds, that I may be enabled to sue and prosecute them, as freely, as if they had never been under Sequestration. And that I may have, for the present, my moneys I have expended in this service against the Silver Ships. It is a lamentable Case, my Usage, for me to bring the State near four Hundred Thousand Pounds, And to be put to Petition for the moneys I laid out of my purse. At the Counsel of States, and at Doctor Walkers Entreaty, I employed people to do this service, as I can make it appear under his hand. My condition (I humbly conceiv) is not to be matched, I having done so good Service, and been so ill requited. (It will make all men afraid to trust to English States men's promises.) If I would have betrayed my trust, and my Country, (I take God to witness) I was several times offered ten thousand Pounds of some of the Claimers of this Silver: Which had I done it, I need not either to have stayed in this Country, or to have petitioned for my Bonds or Charges.  
Your Honour's most humble and Obbiged Servant THO. VIOLET.  
The Lord Bradshaw's Report on the side of this Letter, written with his own hand: viz.  
I Must needs affirm, That it appeared to the late Council of State, that Mr Violet did very good service to the Parliament and Commonwealth, touching the Ships mentioned in this Letter, and deserved good acknowledgement and satisfaction for it, as being very instrumental in discovering the Deuce to the State, and finding out frauds in this and other particulars: for which, in those times, he was thought worthy of Consideration.  
February 7. 1655. John Bradshaw.  
For this his Justice in certifying the Truth, I give his Honour most humble thanks.  
I Presented this Letter and Certificate to some of the Honourable Council; who, when they had read it, replied, They wondered my Lord Bradshaw and the Council of State did not give me satisfaction when I did this service; saying, They could have done it: and (if they would) they might have kept their promise; they than had power enough to do it.  
TO which I humbly answer; My agreement with the Lord Bradshaw and the Council of State was, That I should be paid eleven thousand pounds for this service, out of the first monies the State coined of the silver in these ships, after I should by good and legal witness disprove the Spanish Ambassadors Claim; Or I should be restored to my estate in Offices, Lands, Bonds, Money, and Houses the Parliament had taken from me, with all my damage. Now (may it pleas your Highness) neither the Lord Bradshaw nor the Council, all the time after their agreement with me, could pay me; neither did I desire it, before it was due; for I was to be paid my moneys out of the same moneys which were then aboard the Ships: For although by my discovery and protest, the Council of State stayed the silver; which was the 17th of December 1652. Yet all the time after of the Parliament and Council of States sitting, which was to the 20th of April 1653. the suit against these silver ships and their silver and lading went on in the Admiralty; and my witnesses some of them examined in the Admiralty, though many other witnesses I would have examined more than I did get to be examined, but could not have them. And there was no publication till after the 20th of April 1653. and then the power of the Old Council of State was taken from them, and the silver (though stayed all that time, from December 1652. to April 1653.) remained a ship board, though both the Commissiones for Prize Goods, and myself often times, made the Council of State acquainted with the daily Imbezilments of the Silver in these ships.  
May it pleas your Highness, Upon the dissolving of that Parliament and Council of State, I received new Orders and directions from your Highness' most honourable Counsel, commanding me to proceed and present to them all frauds and abuses concerning this silver. And when I presented to your Highness' Counsel my humble desires, and told them what agreement I had made with the Old Counsel of State, which was, That I should receiv twelv pence upon every twenty shillings which was paid to the State out of these silver ships for my discovery, till the sum of eleven thousand pounds was paid me.  
After I had attended your Highness' Counsel several days for my Answer, the right honourable Colonel Sidenham and Colonel Jones (for Answer to my humble Petition for the said Allowance) told me, the Councils pleasure was, and they required me in the Councils name to proceed, and that I should have from the Council all my charges, and an honourable Reward for my pains and hazard, expense and time, both for those I employed and for myself, if I did disproov the Spanish Ambassadors Claim to the silver aboard the Samson, Salvador and George; and other particular Agreement your Highness' Council would not make with your Supplicant; for Colonel Sidenham and Colonel Jones told me, It was below the Council to make any other Agreement: and of the just performance of this, I might rest assured on.  
May it pleas your Highness; Till I had this promise from your Highness' Council, I would proceed no further, but refrained my Attendance on Doctor Walker (he sending for me earnestly to proceed, both by Mr Doreslaus and others) I told them, when the Counsel of State had given me their answer, how I should be restored to my estate, and receiv satisfaction for my disbursments I had and should lay out in this service, I would then proceed in this Business.  
And upon the right honourable Colonel Jones and Colonel Sidenham's promise to me as aforesaid, and upon Doctor Walker's earnest entreaty of me (as appears under his hand) I proceeded in this service. And this was done since your Highness took the Government, by order and command of your Council of State, and at the entreaty of your Advocate Doctor Walker. And upon these honourable Promises (besides my former Agreement with the Old Council of State) I relied and proceeded; whereupon, Doctor Walker gave me several Warrants to the Register, to the Examiner, and to Mr Budd your Highness' Proctor, and Mr Doreslaus. The Copies whereof follow; viz.  
3 September, 1653.  
MAster Doreslaus and Mr Bud are now again desired to deliver unto Mr Violet a Copy of the Specifications given in by the Masters and Commanders of the ships Samson, Salvador, and George: as likewise, Copies of all the Plead Articulate Exhibited and admitted on the part of the claimers of the Silver in any of these ships: And they are to go with him to the Register, and Examiner's Offices; and to procure him a view of all the Bills of Lading, Extracts and Exhibites, either brought into the Office, or exhibited by any claimers: And whatever Papers are, or shall be exhibited by any Claimers in the three Ships. I do, as Advocate for the Commonwealth, desire Mr Doreslaus to yield all his endeavours and assistance, as also the Register, Examiner, and Deputy-Register in the Admiralty from time to time to give Mr Violet free admittance and view of all Acts, Bills of Lading, and Pleas Exhibited, and Extracts and Papers remaining in the Registry, or which shall come in: And to do it readily and effectually; the same tending to the Service of the Commonwealth; and being in order for preparing the Evidence fit to be produced for the Commonwealth. And I do, according to the Order of the Counsel of State of the First of September, 1653, earnestly desire and Entreat Mr Violet, and also the Commissioners 
If this Discovery had been so easily made, and had been every body's work to have found out the Spaniards Frauds, I should not have had these earnest Entreaties f●om Dr Walker, according to the Orders of the Council of State of the 1 of Sept. 1653. The Commissioners for Prise goods have certified to Mr Secretary Thurloe, how active and knowing they found me to make these Discoveries; and had I not been so, your Highness had lost every penny of this great Treasure, amounting to above Three Hundred Thousand Pounds.  for Prize goods, and their Solicitors and Agents; as also, the Proctor and Sillicitors for the State, and every one of them, with all convenient speed, severally to set down in Writing all the Informations that they respectively know of, or can find: And all the Evidences and Proofs that may be discerned or produced on the part of the Commonwealth; That so a full Plea and Articulate Allegation may be prepared, and the Proofs brought in for the Commonwealth: And no Default be done, suffered, or committed.  
3 Sept. 1653. Walter Walker.  
And another Warrant of Doctor Walkers to the Examiner's Mr How, and Mr Arnold, viz. 1 December, 1653.  
MAster How and Mr Arnold, in the business of the three ships, Samson, Salvador, and George, and the Silver and Lading in those ships, Mr Violet was ordered to contribute and yield his Assistance, to bring in Evidence on the behalf of the Commonwealth. I did heretofore sign a Warrant, that all the Proceed might be showed him: He now desires, that the names of all the Witnesses already produced on the behalf of the State, as also the Allegations and matter upon which they were produced: as likewise, the names of all Witnesses produced on the behalf of the claimers; and every one of them particularly, and the Allegations and Interrogatories upon which they have been produced, might be shown to him. This that he desires being just, I desire that you 
Dr Walker knew (to his own knowledge) that I employed many people every day in these Discoveries, several of them being often with me, both at the Admiralty, and at his chamber; and he knew, I employed none in this business but credible persons, as appears here under his hand.  would not put him off, but let it be done forthwith, unto himself, and all such others as he under his hand shall nominate; for he employs others under him in searching into this business. He will nominate none but such as may be trusted in it. And I desire you in your several places to give him and all that he shall employ, all ready dispatch and encouragement, that the Business of the Commonwealth may find no obstacle. Where there is publication, you may likewise show him the Depositions, and (I pray) let nothing that is just be denied him.  
December 1. 1653. Walter Walker.  
[Mr Simon Baldwine, Mr John Glover, Mr Thomas Lee, Mr John Gerrel, Mr Bruse, Mr Smith, Mr William Bourne, Mr Scot, and several others, Thomas Violet employed daily in the Admiralty about this Business, as Dr Walker and the Registers and Examiner's daily see, and as appears by the above said Doctor Walkers Warrant.]  
WHen I first was required by the Counsel of State to engage in this service, to assist and be in the nature of a Remembrancer for this Business, my Warrant (of December 13. 1652) from the Counsel of State commanded me from time to time to acquaint Doctor Walker (Advocate for the Commonwealth) with what I had to offer, or did desire to be done in this Business of the Silver ships for the service of the Commonwealth. And truly my Duty and Truth binds me to give Doctor Walker humble thanks; for I ever had his uttermost Assistance, Advice and Encouragement to further me in this service; for he knew I needed it, having undertaken a knotty work, and had great and mighty Opposites therein, (even such as had great Influence in the State and then Parliament) which would have had the silver then discharged; and for my staying it, they do own me a shrewd turn to this day.  
Doctor Walker made it his Business to keep the Silver here, till my Witnesses were examined. Let the Judges of the Admiralty say what they pleas, This was a great help and encouragement unto me in my Discoveries, and made my work so much the easier when I found his vigilancy and integrity to improve by all lawful ways and means the Commonwealth's interest to this Silver, that they should not be cozened of this great Treasure. The like ready assistance to their power (in their several places) I must truly acknowledge I received ever from the Registers and Examiner's, when I shown them Doctor Walkers Warrants. For others in the Admiralty that did not do their duties, and hindered me as much as they could (though they were the Commonwealth's officers; and, by their places and duty, aught to have done that they neglected to do: God forgive them, I do; considering though they endeavoured to neglect their duties, I was so vigilant (God assisting me) that they were disappointed of their purposes. And the Commonwealth and your Highness, by my protest and careful prosecution, got every penny of the silver in these ships Samson, Salvador and George, which else your Highness and the Commonwealth had lost. For my doing whereof great, men in the State were and are angry with me, and many merchants and others in the Admiralty and else where grinned their teeth at me; yet for all their malice (through the good protection and guidance of God) they could never by't me with their teeth though with their tongues they have back bitten me very liberally upon all occasions by themselves & their emissaries. I humbly say, it is an unworthy way to say that behind a man's back which they will not say to his face. And I humbly hope now your Highness sees the true proceed and my expense, hazard, envy and pains so clearly and particularly proved by many witnesses, you will in your Justice pay me what was promised me, viz. the full Restoration of my Estate, with damages; or the sum of eleven thousand pounds. For it would be strange to all men, to have it left to posterity, that Thomas Violet (out of his zeal for his Country) upon the faithful promise of the Counsel of State of England, borrowed five hundred pounds at Interest, and laid it out every penny to save and get the State Three hundred thousand pounds in Silver; which the State had lost, had not Thomas Violet prosecuted the Business, and discovered the fraudulent Claims to all this Silver; which Practices were set on foot by the than Spanish Ambassador, to deceiv the State. The particulars at large I formerly Printed, when I stayed the Silver 1652.  
Here followeth an Attestation of my Protesting in the Court of Admiralty against the Judges, clearing or discharging the said Silver and Ships, and against the Spanish Ambassadors Claims, just that Morning as they were discharging of the Ships and Silver, being the seventeenth day of December 1652. as appears by the Certificate of the Officers of the Mint under their hands, viz.  
Dated at the Mint in the Tower of London, December 23. 1654.  
We, whose names are here under-written, hereby Certify all whom it may concern, that we were present in the Court of Admiralty that day the Judges of the Court were reported to proceed to a sentence for the Clearing or condemning of the Ships (Salvador, George and Samson;) it being about the seventeenth day of Dec. 1652 And there we saw Mr Thomas Violet the same day in that Court present a paper unto the Judges, which he declared, contained several reasons and Arguments to the Judges: for respiting their Judgement concerning the discharging of those Ships, and several other Prizes, till he had examined several witnesses on the behalf of the State, to disproov the Spanish Claims concerning these Ships, at which time the silver was aboard these Ships: After some time spent in arguing the business by Mr Violet in behalf of the State, the Judges seeming to proceed to a sentence concerning the said Prize Ships, Mr Thomas Violet made his Protest in the said Court of Admiralty against the discharge of all or any of these Prizes, declaring he did it upon his own Account, till his Witnesses were examined in the behalf of the State: And that the Judges, if they should proceed to the contrary, should answer it to the then Parliament and Counsel of State at their peril. Thereupon the Court desisted from proceeding in the said Business; and the Judges thereof required Mr Violet to attend the Counsel of State that afternoon about his carriage that day in the Court of Admiralty, touching these ships.  


George Brett,  
Thomas Burch,  
James Whore.    
Here follow the Affidavits and Certificates to the Truth of Thomas Violets Service, made by honest men of clear reputation, (Merchants and others) that he employed and were privy to the whole proceed in the Admiralty and other parts of this Nation: and by what ways and means he made these Discoveries, to entitle the State to this Silver, and disprove the Spanish Ambassadors and the Spaniards Claims. The Affidavits follow; viz.  

JOhn Glover of London Merchant, aged about forty years, maketh Oath, That Mr Thomas Violet having since December 1652. received several Orders and Warrants from his Highness' Council, and Doctor Walker (Advocate for the Commonwealth) to assist in the behalf of the Commonwealth against the silver Ships Samson, Salvador and George and all their Silver and lading: In pursuance of which service, the said Mr Violet hath constantly entreated his (this Deponents) assistance, (amongst several other persons which he the said Mr Violet employed) for making discovery of the several frauds and practices of the Masters of those Ships, and of several other merchants, Claimers of the Silver and lading in the aforesaid Ships, to deceiv the State by their several Claims; And also of the several Bills of lading, and in several other particulars: in pursuance of this service for the Commonwealth, for several months this Deponent, with one Mr Simon Baldwine a merchant, who lived a long time at Cades and St Lucre's in Spain, and with Mr Violet this Deponent and they two did view and examine all the Bills of lading, and the several pleas and Exhibits, Extracts, and all other writings and papers which were brought in and remain in the registry of the Admiralty concerning these ships, silver and lading; the Register declaring that they had seen all the Transactions that was then upon record in that business, which were many thousand sheets; and that the said Mr Violet had several Warrants from Doctor Walker to the Register and Examiner's of the Admiralty, to require them, that the said Mr Violet, and all such as he should nominate under his hand to the said Register and Examiner, should be impowered to make several searches, which he this Deponent and the rest did almost every day for about three months: And this Deponent further maketh Oath, That after he and the rest had taken such observations and directions, as Mr Thomas Violet had given order concerning the marks of the several Bills of Lading, and several other particulars; both Mr Simon Baldwyne and this Deponent delivered the Papers up to Mr Violet, he having employed and promised to content us for our pains. This Business concerning the ships and silver, this Deponent came to be engaged in at the request and entreaty of the said Mr Violet, he having heard how necessary and advantageous he (this Deponent) should be, in making this discovery of the truth of this Business; For that this Deponent for many years was an Inhabitant and merchant in Rotterdam, and had Commerce and Trade with most Towns in Holland, where Trading was stiriing. And this Deponent knows many of the marks of the Bills of Lading of these Silver Ships, though they pretend to belong to Spaniards, Hamburgers and Flaunders, yet they are the same marks as divers Merchants of Holland give on their goods and Merchandise; And that since the War with Holland, divers Ships and their lading have been condemned in the Admiralty, and made prize of, which had Silver and merchandise aboard them at the time of the condemning, with the same marks which are in these Ships (Samson Salvador and George); And this Deponent further deposeth, That he knoweth the said Mr Violet employed (besides Mr Simon Baldwine) several other people for the making these discoveries ever since December 1652. And this Deponent hath been employed by the said Mr Violet in this business for almost a year and an half in the finding out and searching this business; and the said Mr Violet hath to his (this Deponents) knowledge, expended very great sums of money in prosecution thereof, to the value of above five hundred pounds, besides all his pains, attendance and hazard; this Deponent having heard him several times threatened and in danger of his life by several Merchants and others, Claimers of the Silver in these ships: they having declared in this Deponents presence, That by the said Violets protesting in the Court of Admiralty against the discharge of these Ships and Silver in December 1652. the day the Judges appointed for discharging the Ships and Silver, (And by his further prosecution against those Ships and Silver since) he hath been and is the only cause of hindering them of their Silver and Ships; And that they had had their Silver long since, had not Thomas Violet undertaken the prosecution of this Business. And this, this Deponent hath heard affirmed several times by merchants and others, claimers, both at the Exchange and elsewhere. And this Deponent maketh Oath, That th●s Affidavit is for the affirming and justifying of Mr Violets pains, hazard and service in prosecution of this Business of the Silver ships and Lading.  
John Glover.  
Sworn the 27th November. 1654.  
before me ROBERT KELLEWAY, Master of the Chancery in Ordinary.   

THomas Ley and John Gerrel make Oath, that in December 1652. Mr Thomas Violet was Commanded by the Council of State to assist (in the behalf of the State) against the Ships Samson, Salvador and George; And several times since, the said Mr Violet hath received warrants from his Highness' Council, and Doctor Walker (Advocate for the Commonwealth) for the prosecution of that service: this the Deponents know because Mr Violet hath shown them several times the warrants upon several occasions, he having employed them (these Deponents) for about sixteen months in the assisting him to prosecute this business concerning the Silver Ships. Besides, to their these Deponents knowledge, he did employ eight other persons at his charge for making these Discoveries, for above sixteen months together, he the said Thomas Violet paying all charges of meetings, Boat-hire, and for writing and subscribing all the Transactions for the Counsel of State and Doctor Walker, for Printing the several Proceed for the Parliament and Counsel: And they, these Deponents, are assured and know Mr Thomas Violet could not (though he hath been very thrifty in this Business, to have as much done for as little money as he could) expend in this Service for the State in his prosecution of these silver Ships, he hath expended above five hundred pounds, besides all his hazard, pains and time, having to their knowledge sat up many nights and days together to do this Service; And having contracted the envy of many merchants for staying this Silver: And this Affidavit these Deponents make for satisfaction of all whom it may concern.  


Thomas Ley.  
John Gerrel.    
Both sworn the 25 of November 1654.  
JOHN PAGE.   

SImon Baldwine of London merchant, aged near 43 years, maketh Oath, that Mr Thomas Violet in December 1652. was ordered and required by the Council of State to assist in the Admiralty, in the behalf of the Commonwealth, against the Silver Ships Samson, Salvador and George, and their Silver; And several times since hath received several orders and warrants from his Highness▪ s Council and Doctor Walker (Advocate for the Commonwealth) against the said Ships and all their Silver and Lading. For the more effectual prosecution of this service, the said Thomas Violet knowing this Deponent had lived for some time at St Lucre's and Cades, and by that means knew the way of their Account, and shipping Goods and Silver, when the Silver Fleet returned from the West Indies: Thereupon the said Thomas Violet, and this Deponent, and one Mr John Glover, and several others, did view and examine the Bills of Lading, and their several marks, Pleas and Exhibits, Extracts and other Papers which were brought into the Admiralty, concerning these three silver Ships their Silver and Lading. Which Search Mr Violet was desired to make by Order of Doctor Walker, in pursuance of an Order of his Highness▪ s Counsel, as appears by several Warrants to the Register and the Examiner of the Admiralty: And this Deponent maketh Oath, That Mr John Glover and this Deponent, having taken such Observations and directions as Mr Violet conceived was for the most advantage of the Commonwealth, concerning the several marks of several Bills of Lading, (both for their silver and merchandise) and several other particular Observations; and that Mr Violet (to this Deponents knowledge) employed at his own expense many other people to find out this Business; he having engaged to see me Simon Baldwine and Mr Glover satisfied for our pains. This Deponent delivered Mr Thomas Violet the Papers. And this deponent further saith, That he was employed by Mr Violet for one year together, this deponent living in the house with him for that time purposely for the Transactions of this Business: And this deponent verily believeth, that Mr Violet (in the prosecution of this service against the Ships Samson, Salvador and George) hath expended many hundred pounds, and that it cannot be less than five hundred pounds, besides all his pains, attendance and hazard; this deponent knowing Mr Violet to sit up many nights and days for this Business; this deponent having given his constant attendance therein for about one year, to find out the frauds of the Spaniards Claims unto and in the aforesaid Ships: Which frauds, after much search, Mr Violet discovered by many passengers and mariners, and by other ways and means, as doth appear by many confessions under the hands of several people, and the several other papers in Mr Violets custody.  
Simon Baldwine.  
Sworn the 17 of February 1653.  
JOHN PAGE.   

THomas Violet maketh Oath, That since the thirteenth of December 1652. in his (this deponents) prosecution and assisting against the Ships Samson, Salvador and George, their Silver and Lading; he having employed several persons amongst the Seamen and Passengers belonging to these Ships to get acquainted with them, and of several other persons, for the searching out of all Records both in the Tower and in the Admiralty; And for the transcribing and printing the several Transaction's of this Business for the State; this deponent having for sixteen months together constantly employed eight several person, and sometimes above half a score, for the effectual prosecution of this service, many of them being constantly with him (this deponent) when he addressed himself to Doctor Walker about this business: In which service this Deponent hath expended above the sum of five hundred pounds, besides all his time and hazard of his person. Upon this consideration, viz. the Counsel of State, having in December 1●52. faithfully promised this Deponent, That if he did disprove the Spanish Ambassadors and his Agents Claims to the Silver in these Ships, and to prove by good and legal Witnesses that great and considerable quantities of the silver aboard those Ships appertained to the Dutch, That then this deponent should be restored to his estate or the value of it: upon the Credit of which promise, he (this deponent) borrowed five hundred pounds to do this service (the deponents estate being taken away from him by the long Parliament to his, this deponents, damage of above eleven thousand pound as he (this deponent) presented to the Commit for Foreign Affairs December 1652. And the Committee faithfully promised him (this deponent) a restoration of all his estate in kind, or the full value thereof, for this service, if he did disprove the Spanish Ambassador and his Agents Claims to the Silver in the said Ships.  
THO. VIOLET.  
Sworn Nou. 25. 1654.  
John Page.   

A Copy of the Commissioners of the Dutch Prize Office Letter to Mr Thurloe then Clerk of the Council of State.  
Mr Thurloe!  
We have a certain discovery, that a great quantity of Gold and Silver hath been stolen out of the Dutch Prize Ships, that calls themselves Hamburgers; we desire, for the service of the State, to have a warrant to bring all the Bullion in the Dutch Prize Ships on shore. We have here (enclosed) Mr Thomas Violets Letter to us, and proofs taken in the Office; Every hours delay of not taking the Silver a shore, is a great loss to the State: We find Mr Violet, (the bearer hereof) very active and knowing to make these discoveries, And he hath done several good and great services for the State already in this business; which we desire you to present the same to the Counsel of State, with the tender of our services, we are Sr  
Your very friends and servants 

Sam. Wilson.  
Rich. Hill.   Dated Dutch Prize Office, December the 18th 1652.  
This is a true Copy, examined by me  
THOM. BRUCE, Scr.   
Upon what is here sworn and attested by able legal Witnesses, I do most humbly appeal to Your Highness, Whether I did not deal with the Counsel of State and the Committee for Foreign affairs, and Your Highness' Counsel as public Ministers in the name and behalf, of the Commonwealth: And that, (if I had not relied on their honourable Promise, and since, on Your Highnes' Counsel; whether I would have run these hazards, been at this Charge, hired half a score several persons, and to have spent five hundred pounds, and paid Interest for it till this day, if I had not had the assurance from the State, of just and honourable dealing) the Lord Bradshaw, nor any one of the old Counsel of State were privately interessed in this business, with agreeing with me for the restoring of my Estate, or the sum of Eleven Thousand Pounds, if I did disprove the Spanish Ambassadors and the Spaniards Claims, they were not, nor none of their relations were to have one penny or farthing benefit by this agreement.  
They did only look upon the greatness of my service and the hazard, charge and difficulty I should undergo: And some of the Counsel of State told me, If I did prove what I undertook, I deserved forty thousand Pounds, for I saved the State all the Three hundred thousand pounds: But if I should fail in what I had undertaken, I deserved to lose my life: And that, if I would be so rash, to make a Protest against the discharge of the Silver, and, when I had done, could not prove it, I must suffer highly for it, for it was at that time to bring more fists about their ears then the State could well defend themselves from. Many of the Counsel of State, and some of the Commissioners for Prize goods and Officers of the Mint told me, I had undone myself if I did not prove, there was great quantity of silver in these Ships, Samson, Salvador and George, belonged to the Dutch in the United Provinces.  
Many great Personages told me, The Spanish Ambassador would demand Justice on me for presuming to contradict what so great a Prince's Ambassador affirmed to the Counsel of State, and to the Parliament, if I failed of my proofs against him.  
Also, the Merchants, many scores of them would have their actions against me, for their Damages, for my detaining their ships and silver upon a fall pretence, (they having interred a Protest for their Damage in December 1652, for detaining this silver.)  
And, above all, some of the Council of State told me themselves, if I could not prove what I had alleged to be true, I should be taken for an Incendiary (and so they would report me to the Parliament?) So that, in seeking to get mine Estate, I ran a great hazard totally to ●do myself.  
May it please Your Highness: In brief, I might with the same security have as well fling myself off of Paul's Steeple, as to have miss to maintain my charge, and not have disproved the Spanish Ambassadors Claim.  
Therefore when I had made my Protest in the Admiralty I was forced to be at the Charge to make out my Evidence and Proofs, and then fully to follow this business, or be undone.  
The prosecution of this business hath been to my insupportable Charge: to this day I pay Interest for five hundred Pounds I borrowed, and laid out in this business, to bring the State in above Three hundred thousand Pounds, as appears formerly, upon the Oaths of several credible Witnesses. And although I was promised the sum of Eleven Thousand pounds. Of all that sum I have received as yet (though I attended daily the State) but three Bonds (which were my own Bonds) in two thousand Pounds for the payment of one thousand Pounds unto me Thomas Violet: These Bonds being seized, and taken out of my sister's custody in Holbourn Anno 1644, by the Committee of Shropshire,  
And these Bonds I could not have out of the Committee of Salops Custody, till I paid them forty Pounds, as appears by the Order of the Counsel following. So that, there is nothing that comes into a Committees hands of my Estate that I could yet ever get of .  
But I must ever humbly acknowledge John Corbet Esq his great Justice and favour to me, in helping me to my Bonds, even on those terms I had them: For which I give him humble thanks. And if the said Committee of Salop will restore me back the said forty Pounds (I have deposited in Mr Corbets hands for their use) now they see my faithful Affection and Duty to my Country in these several particulars; I shall like-wise-give them thanks for their Justice, in doing me right. Their County will be little the Richer for taking this Forty Pounds of me.  
The Order of the Counsel of State thereupon follow, viz.  
Friday, March 21. 1655. At the Counsel at White-Hall.  
UPon reading a Report from the Committee (to whom the Petition of Thomas Violet was referred) praying that certain Bonds seized upon by the Committee of Salop may be delivered unto him. Upon consideration of the said Report, and for that the said Bonds are engaged for forty pounds, which the said Committee employed for public use, Ordered by his Highness the Lord Protector and his Counsel, That upon the said Thomas Violets paying unto the said Committee the said sum of forty pounds, for which the said Bonds are engaged, That the said Committee be required to deliver up the said Bonds unto the said Thomas Violet, and that he be at liberty to sue the same, and to take the benefit thereof as formerly he might have done; and that it be referred to John Corbet Esquire, to see the said Bonds delivered up accordingly upon payment of the said forty pounds.  
Henry Scobell, Clerk of the Counsel.  
Mr John Corbet I attended with this order; March 28. 1655. He was pleased to tell me he was to go down into Shropshire, and would speak with the Committee who were to receive the forty pounds, and then I should know where to pay my money, for he told me he had never received Public moneys, and he was very unwilling to receiv any now, But upon his return, upon my earnest entreaty and to save me from further trouble, he told me he would receiv and keep this forty pounds in deposito, for the use of the Committee till he had order from them for the disposing of it. That transaction follows, viz.  
MEmorandum, That the 24th of May 1656. In obedience to the Order of his Highness the Lord Protector and his Counsel of the 21. of March 1655. I John Corbet Esquire have delivered unto Thomas Violet, of London Goldsmith, three Bonds: the first bearing date the 6th of June 1638. of eight hundred pounds, for the payment of four hundred pounds within one year after the death of the Lady Anne Waad; in which Bond, the said Lady Anne Waad, Charles Mordent, Philip Cage, and Edmund Lenthal Esquires, stand bound to the said Thomas Violet: and one other Bond of the 6th of June 1638. in six hundred pounds, for the payment of three hundred pounds, within two years after the death of the said Lady Anne Waad; in which the Persons aforesaid stand bound to the said Thomas Violet: and one other Bond (of the same date) of six hundred pounds, for the payment of three hundred pounds, within three years after the death of the said Lady Anne Waad; in which Bond, the Persons aforesaid also stand bound to the said Thomas Violet; The sum of forty pounds being paid by the said Thomas Violet, according to the said Order.  
JOHN CORBET.  
Witnesses then present  


Edward Watkins.  
William Davis.  
Edmund Cogan.  
John English Scr.    
The Lady Ann Waad of battles Hall in Essex died about May 1643. And the Bonds are due to me Th. Violet, as abovesaid.  
May it please your Highness,  
OUt of your princely regard to Justice, to reliev your humble Supplicant; and to give that order and direction, that either your Supplicant may be restored to his Estate again, with his Damages, or the sum of Eleven Thousand pounds paid him, according to the faithful promise of the Counsel of State; Or any other way Your Highness in your great Clemency and love to Justice shall think most convenient for the just Reward of your Loyal Subject, to give him Satisfaction. (Your Supplicant having formerly at large Printed the Grounds and Reasons for his Stay of this Silver; and the several humble proposals he from time to time presented to your Highness▪ s Counsel and Doctor Walker for your service.) And your Highness having disposed of all this great treasure by the hands of Sir J. Baxter, your Highness 's Lieutenant of the Tower; who hath been honourably pleased solemnly several times upon your Supplicants humble suit, to promise me, if ever he had a fit opportunity to acquaint your Highness of the great charges, pains and attendance I had been at in this business: and that he would faithfully and effectually do it; and present how seasonably both for the Nation and your Highness I stayed that silver in the Ships Samson, Salvador and George, when Van Trump was in the Downs, ready to conduct the silver home. And this appears upon the attestation of several Gentlemen, your Highness' Officers of the Mints hands, whom Mr Lieutenant of the Tower knows to be able, honest Gentlemen; And they were in the Court of Admiralty when I stayed this silver by my Protest. I humbly refer myself to their Certificate in this Book, Fol. 48, and to Mr Lieutenant of the Tower's report to your Highness thereupon.  
I petitioned your Highness in February 1653. to take an Account of these silver ships, and what I had proved in the Admiralty: And desired, that your Highness' Counsel would advise with Doctor Walker about sending Commissioners into Spain, to Examine the Claimers in Spain: and for to Advise how this weighty business might be managed for the most advantage of the State: and to vindicate the Justice of this Nation in staying this silver in the Ships Samson, Salvador and George. This was the substance of my humble Petition.  
The 3d of February 1653. Your Highness referred this Petition to the consideration of the Counsel to expedite the business, by Mr J. Sadler.  
Wednesday 22. February 1653. At the Counsel at .  
THe humble Petition of Thomas Violet to his Highness the Lord Protector, and by his Highness referred to the Counsel, was this day read. Ordered, that it be referred to a Committee of the Counsel, viz. to Major Gen. Lambert, Lord Viscount Lisle, and Col. Sydenham, or any two of them, to take consideration thereof, and to inform themselves of the Fact, and the Claims made, and to state the same: And in order thereunto, to send for Doctor Walker, as also for the Petitioner, and such persons and papers as they shall judge meet; and to report the same, with their opinions to the Counsel.  
William. Jessopp, Clerk of the Counsel.  
THe 25 of February 1653. Doctor Walker and your Supplicant attended the right honourable Major General Lambert and Colonel Sydenham; to whom your Supplicant delivered a duplicate of many, Papers he had formerly delivered to Doctor Walker, touching this Business; wherein, at large, was set down what was proved for the State against the Silver Ships; (some part of which Papers I have here printed, with my then humble desires to the honourable Committee, to have Commissions out of the Admiralty to go into Spain, (as is usual by t●e course of the civil Law) by which means the silver that is pretended by their bills of Lading to be loaden by Spaniards at Cales and St Lucre's aboard these Ships; not one penny will be claimed of it in Spain by the Spaniards; for, the transporting Silver out of Spain without the King's licence, is loss of life and estate: And had the Claimers had the King's licence to transport the Silver, that licence would have been pleaded in the Admiralty: and this is a certain truth, No man in Spain will make a confession to hang himself; if they did, they would be accounted mad merchants; so that all this Silver would have proved prize to your Highness, bade we not had a War with Spain: for the truth is, these Spanish Claims were forged on board the Ships when they were at Sea; as appears by the voluntary confession of Mr Joachim Peesler, Chirurgeon of the Ship Samson, who saith, The Pursers' book was altered at Sea, and all the Dutch names put out of the Pursers' book, and other names put in, and the true book was not in the Admiralty; and the Spaniards wanted for no help in London to perfect their fraudusent Claims as I have set forth: And Jacob Eleares, the Cabbin-boy of the Samson saith, The Steersman at the Downs took an Iron-barr and tied a bundle of Writings fast to it, and then fling it into the sea. You will see this at large by both their own Confessions in this book, fol. 17, 20.  
I also most humbly presented the insupportable charge and expense, the continual hazard of my life, and the envy I had by my staying this Silver.  
The right honourable Committee were well pleased with the account Doctor Walker and myself gave them touching this Business; And Major General Lambert commanded me to make my Petition, and to set down my humble desires, and he would see that I should receive satisfaction and encouragement for this service. And accordingly I made my humble Petition, and delivered it to his Honour; but as yet (by reason of the multitude of great Businesses) it is daily respited: Doctor Walker at the same time made his Report of the great expense and envy I had undergone in doing this Service; and humbly referred me to the honourable Committee for satisfaction. This was about March 1653  
This (that before I have humbly declared) shows to all the world the just grounds and reasons the then Parliament and Counsel of State had for staying the ships Samson, Salvador, and George upon your humble and faithful Subjects discovery, and his Protest in the Court of Admiralty, and his great expense and pains: All which he willingly and cheerfully undertaken, to show his true affection to his dear Country, to the then Parliament and Counsel of State, and afterwards to your Highness; by several Orders and Warrants from your Highness' Counsel, and your Highness' Advocate, requiring and desiring your Supplicant to do this: And no man of his Condition can show fuller or clearer demonstration of his duty and love to his Nation and the present Supreme Governors; Nor no man in England (of your Supplicants condition) ever brought to the Commonwealth so much money at one time, as your Supplicant hath done.  
May it pleas your Highness; the Scripture saith, The tree is known by his fruit: Had I not loved my Country, I would not have ventured my life and estate (as I have done) in this service, and sat up nights and days to do this service, and employed half a score persons at my own charge in this Business.  
I most humbly here (upon my knees) present your HIGHNESS an Account of what hath been taken from me Thomas Violet; for which I most humbly desire satisfaction in kind, with my damages, or the sum of eleven thousand pounds, as was faithfully promised unto me by the most honourable Counsel of State in December and January 1652. for staying the Silver in the ships Samson, Salvador and George, and disproving the Spanish Ambassadors Claim to this Silver, which was above three hundred thousand pounds.  
1. WHen I was first sent unto the Tower the 6th of January 1643, my mother had of mine good Bonds and Bills in her hands taken away from her at several times, to the value of one thousand three hundred and odd pounds; Besides many of my Papers and Accounts of great concernment to the Commonwealth; and as yet I cannot come to the knowledge who hath them: But this I am sure of, If there had been any thing in them that could have made against me, there had then use been made of them.  
2. My mother had at another time a Privy Seal taken from her, wherein the late King acknowledged he owed me (for my expenses in discovering the Transporters of Gold and Silver) ninteen hundred threescore and eight pounds: which money I laid every penny out of my own purse to do the late King and Commonwealth that service: and I caused the transporters of gold and silver to be fined in the Star Chamber at Twenty four Thousand pounds, besides several Merchants, and gold and silver Refiners, viz. Alderman Wollaston, and Alderman Gibbs, Mr Peter Fountain and others: Upon their Petition to the late King, (and paying well for it) had their Pardon under the Great Seal of England, for several abuses practised by them in their Trades, and complained of at Whitehall to the late King by Sir Henry Mildemay Master of the Jewel-hous, and by some of the Wardens and Company of Goldsmiths, as will appear by the Order of the Counsel-table, 25 Jan. 1634.  
3. The Committee of Essex put me out of Possession of the Manors of Battles and Patan-Hall in Essex, as appears by their Warrants. Of which Lands I had an Extent to the just value of One thousand pounds: and one Mr Elconhead received my rents ever since 1643, Mr Philip Cage being in possession for my Use.  
4. The Committee of Shropshire seized, in my sister's hands, in London, three Bonds due to me, in two thousand pounds for the payment to me Thomas Violet one thousand pounds, by the Lady Anne Waad, Edmond Lenthal, Philip Cage and Charles Mordent Esqrs, as appears by the Bonds restored unto me back from John Corbet Esqr, 24th of May 1656, by virtue of your Highness and your Counsels Order of 21 of March 1655. And I have put these Bonds in suit, according to the power given unto me by your Highness, and your most honourable Counsel: For which Justice I most humbly am bound to give to Colonel Syddenham, my Lord Strickland, and Col. Jones most humble thanks; humbly trusting in God, that they will be honourably pleased to move your Highness, and the Council to take that order, the rest of my Estate under Sequestration shall be justly restored: Or, that I shall have the sum to be made up Eleven thousand pounds paid me, according to the faithful promise of the Council of State 1652, for staying, and intituling the State to the aforesaid Three hundred thousand pounds in silver, which the Commonwealth, (only by my means,) had every penny of it.  
5. I had the Leas of ten several Houses, at the Postern in Little moorfield's; and the Tenants owed me, when I was committed to the Tower, in arrears for rent above one hundred pounds: And for these Thirteen years, I received no Rent of them. But one Mr Elconhead hath received the Rents of them ever since.  
6. I had the Office of sealing and surveying of all gold and silver Thread and Wire: which prevented the making of all sleight and adulterate gold and silver Thread, and Wyer, granted to me under the Great Seal, for three Lives, from the late King; which Office cost me Fifteen hundred Pounds (to the Lord Treasurer Juxon, L. Cottington, Sir John Cook Secretary of State, and Sr. John Banks the late King's Attorney. The necessity of keeping up that Office, to prevent the daily Cosennages and frauds of divers Silkmen, Wyerdrawers and Refiners in their making Cours, sleight and deceitful Gold and Silver Wyer and Toread: I shall at the later end of this book show at large; having about three hundred Assays of adulterate and course gold and silver Wyer, Thread, Spangles, O's, &c all made and sold contrary to the Laws and Statutes. These Assays are in my custody, under the Hand and Attestation of Mr Alexander Jackson Assay-master of Goldsmith's Hall; and the several Silkmens' names and shops, and days of the Month in which they sold this course, adulterate gold and silver Thread and Lace, Spangles, Wyer, etc. to the great deceit of the Nation in general.  
And, upon the Discovery of these notorious Cheats, the late King and his Counsel appointed me Surveyor and Sealer of the said Manufacture.) I caused all the abuses to be laid aside: I Indicted some offenders, imprisoned some, caused others to stand in the Pillory, and made many of them that wrought adulterate course silver run away out of London: By which means I angered many cheating Wyer-drawers, Silkmen and Refiners: and the late King's Council and Commissioners settled such Rules and Orders, during that Regulation, the Manufacture was all made of good silver, and the Coin and Bullion of this Nation preserved; and your Supplicant was bound, to the late King, to warrant all the Manufactures either of gold or silver, Wyer or Thread which he sealed, or surveyed in the Office, to be good silver, and to make it good to any party grieved in the Nation; as appears by my Patent under the Great Seal of England. For which Assurance, Surveying and Sealing, I was allowed to demand and take an half penny for every once Troy, in Wyer, Spangles, O's, ctc. I suveyed; and 4 pence for every pound weight Vennice, for all the Gold and Silver I sealed with the Seal of my Office, being the Rose and Crown.  
7. I had a Grant from the late King, under his Signet, to be Master-worker of the Mint in the Tower of London for my life, with the Fee of five hundred pound a year, for executing that place; which Grant was taken from my Mother, out of her Custody, when I was sent to the Tower.  
8. I had one quarter part of the Lady Willers Farm at the Custom-hous, for the Importation of all gold and silver Thread, Hatbands, Lace, and Copper thread throughout England and Wales; which costmee, a little before I was sequestered, above seven hundred pounds. And if the making gold and silver thread was put down in England, the Custom of gold and silver thread imported would make a far greater Revenue than now it doth by the Excise; and the manifacture, if it be made here, aught to be kept to a strict Regulation.  
9 I spent in my Imprisonment in the Tower for almost four years above seven hundred pounds; and could never get to be heard, though I petitioned to the Parliament, as aforesaid, many years, to come to a Trial, knowing myself to be innocent both by God's Law and the Laws of the Land; and above all, by the testimony of a good Conscience, which hath ever supported me in and thorough all these troubles. All this Estate was and is Sequestered, (but my three aforesaid bonds) to this day; besides my Damage for my four years' Imprisonment.  
10. Since I came out of the Tower, by order of the Counsel of State 1652. and since I laid out (in the Prosecution of the silver Ships, Samson Salvador, and George) above the sum of five hundred pounds, as appears by the Oaths of several persons which I employed in this Discovery, (as you may see in this book, Fol. 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55.) I borrowed every penny of this money, paying Interest for it at this day.) And by my Protest against the Discharge of these silver Ships, Samson, Salvador and George, and my Discoveries thereupon, by many good and legal Witnesses, Passengers and others in these Ships: I caused all the Silver to become the States: All which services I did (upon the faithful promise of the Counsel of State (in December 1652) to restore me to all my Estate, or the full value of Eleven thousand pounds) being Required to do this Service by several Warrants from the Counsel of State, and at the Entreaty of Doctor Walker, as appears in this Book, And no other man in England besides myself did ever (at one time) save the State three Hundred thousand Pounds: which (if it had not been for me) the State had been cozened of every penny of it, as appears by this and my former Narrative.  
Here followeth the Copy of the late King's Letter to the City of LONDON.  
To Our Trusty and Well-beloved, Our Lord May or and Aldermen of Our City of London, and all other Our well-affected Subjects of that City. Charles Rex.  
Trusty and Well beloved, we greet you well: When we remember the many Acts of Grace and Favor We and Our Royal Predecessors have conferred upon that our City of London, and the many examples of eminent Duty and Loyalty, for which that City hath been likewise famous; We are willing to believe (notwithstanding the great defection we have found in that place) That all men are not so far degenerate from their affection to Us, and to the peace of the Kingdom, as to desire a continuance of the miseries they now feel: And therefore being informed, That there is a desire in some principal persons of that City to present a Petition to Us, which may tend to the procuring a good understanding between Us and that Our City, whereby the peace of the whole Kingdom may be procured; We have thought fit to let you know, That we are ready to receiv any such Petition, and the Persons who shall be appointed to present the same to Us shall have a safe conduct: And you shall assure all our good Subjects of that Our City (whose hearts are touched with any sense of Duty to Us, or of Love to the Religion and Laws established; in the quiet and peaceable fruition whereof, They and their Ancestors have enjoyed so great Happiness), That we have neither passed any Act, nor made any profession or Protestation for the maintenance and defence of the true Protestant Religion, and the Liberties of the Subject, which we will not most strictly and religiously observe; And for the which, 〈◊〉 will not be always ready to give them any security that can be desired: And of these Our gracious Letters, We expect a speedy Answer from you. And so We bid you farewell.  
Given at Our Court at Oxford in the nineteenth year of Our Reign, December 26. 1643.  
By his Majesty's Command.  
GEORGE DIGBY.  
[I do most humbly desire the Common Council of the City of London, to certify your Highness, if ever (amongst all their Records, since the foundation of their City) they find such a sad Precedent as mine is; And whether that any Messenger from any former King of England suffered the loss of his Estate (to his damage above eleven thousand pounds) for bringing them or any their Ancestors the like Letter as I did from the late KING. And at that time (viz. in December 1643.) there was sent and came from Oxford the Writs weekly under the Great Seal of England without any Countermand: My hard usage After-ages will hardly believe, had I not Printed it to Posterity.]  
I Suffered Imprisonment in the Tower almost four years, for bringing up the aforesaid Letter from Oxford to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City of London in December 1643 although I had an Order from the House of Commons (as appears by their Journal Book) and a Pass from the Lord General Essex to go to Oxford; which were both procured for me by Mr Theophilus Ryley, Scout-master General of the City of London, who was authorized to execute that place by the then Parliament and Common Council of London; and I was authorized by the said Mr Ryley to do the same (Mr Ryley being impowered by the then Parliament and Common Council of London to hold Intelligence in any the King's Quarters, as by his Orders he shown me:) Mr Ryley was a man of a known & approved Integrity, and in great esteem with the then Parliament and City of London at that time, and would not have acted any thing but what was just and for the Parliaments service, according to his Trust. (If he had thought it otherwise, and he might have gotten a hundred thousand pounds, upon my Conscience) and that made me to act this Business, to bring up the King's Letter upon his Entreaty (as he confessed upon his Examination;) and I justified my doing thereof by his Order, he being a public minister, and impowered to do it, as he told me. And also the Committee of both Nations was made acquainted with my going to Oxford, for the bringing up the said Letter which I brought from the late King (by Sir David Watkins Knight, I desired him to make them acquainted therewith, before ever I went to Oxford, and to have their approbation;) which Sir David Watkins (after he had spoken with them) told me, I had their approbation to go to Oxford: And all this was done before any Law or Ordinance was made or declared to forbid me or any other to do the same (that ever I heard of:) And I humbly say, That before a law made, there is no transgression, neither by God's law nor Man's law. And I was not to question Mr Ryleys power, abilities and trust, considering he acted as a public minister, but to act according to his direction, so long as he was in the said Office of Scout-master, I having his Warrant and approbation for doing what I did. I have never read nor heard of so heavy a punishment as your Supplicant doth suffer under, before a Law made to give a man warning.  
And by the Statutes of 9 Hen. 3. cap. 29. 5. Edw. 3. cap. 9 and 28. Edw. 3. cap. 3. No person (of what estate o● condition soever he be) shall be put out of Land or Tenement, nor taken, nor imprisoned, nor disinherited, without being brought to answer by due process of the Law; which I have petitioned for, by a legal trial many years, but could never obtain the same.  
May it pleas your Highness, Had there been a Proclamation or Act of Parliament at that time to have probibited me, I should have then been afraid; besides, Mr Ryley should never have made me act against a declared Law.  
Now, forasmuch as your Supplicant having ever since his Inlargment out of the Tower, made it his daily practice to study to serve the Commonwealth, and doing such remarkable Services (as aforesaid) for the Commonwealth, I do most humbly implore your Highness▪ s most gracious Order for the refloring me to my aforesaid estate with damages, or the paying your Supplicant the sum of eleven thousand pounds.  
May it pleas your Highness, If I would have betrayed my Trust to the Commonwealth, about this Silver that was in the Ships Samson, Salvador, and George, I could have had every penny of eleven thousand pounds paid me by the Claimers of the Silver in those Ships; either in money here, or Bills of Exchange beyond Seas: that money would have made me live plentifully in any part of Christendom. I do most humbly implore your Highness, that I may have such Justice by your Highness' goodness and benignity, as I may have cause never to repent of my being faithful to your Highness and the Commonwealths Interest in this particular, concerning the Silver Ships, their Silver and Lading.  
May it please your Highness,  
THe exact looking back into the Accounts of this Nation, which, upon my bended knees, I here humbly have desired a strict inspection into, by approbation and authority of Parliament, and strict Laws to be made, without favour or affection (the prosecution of this great business to be left to uninteressed men to do Justice.) When this is done, it will bring the State in many millions of money; and leave a stock of Lands for the Public: Which if it be effectually, justly and strictly done, will make all after ages call this Parliament the BLESSED PARLIAMENT, the true nursing fathers and bvilders up of the breaches and ruins of this Nation. It is incredible, the great sums of money that belongs unto the State, which particular persons have fraudulently concealed, and upon a strict search will be discovered.  
Great Sir,  
THere hath been some of Your Higness' Commissioners for Customs, (out of a pretended zeal to do Your Highness and the Commonwealth service) offered themselves to execute those places, without any fee upon th●●● first undertaking; and (upon that specious pretence) turn●● almost all the old Officers of the Commonwealth for collecting of Customs and Custom business out of their places, to the total ruin of many scores of Families thorough out the Nation (only to make way for their one friends and relations to come into beneficial places (which could not be duly executed but by persons of skill and trust) to make up many of their broken kindreds and friends decayed fortunes.  
This mischief was practised upon the old Officers of the Customs; And by the ignorance and insolency of many of these new Commissioners and Officers the Revenues of the Customs have been much abated, and the Commonwealth Damnified. But upon examination of some of these pretended godly Commissioners, viz. Colonel Harvey, and Mr Alderman Avery the Father, (now a prisoner in the Fl●et) and his son Dudley Avery (now a prisoner in Lambeth-hous) detected and proved, before your Highness' Counsel, to have cozened the State of several thousand pounds: The Father being entrusted as Treasurer, by the Commissioners of the Customs. Many of their dark actions have been brought to light; some of them (for their bad practices and insolences to Merchants) being generally cursed and hated in the City of London, and in all the Sea Ports ' of this Nation.  
May it pleas your Highness, it caused a general joy amongst all good Merchants and honest men in London, when these men were questioned. And when they were made to restore great sums which thy had fraudulently deceived the State of: It pleased all good men.  
The same just course to be strictly now taken with all the Treasurers, Sequestrators and Committee men of the Nation, will make all honest men thank God, and bless your Highness and the Parliament, for the ease the good people in general shall receiv in their taxes by stripping these publicans and Sinners: Amongst the many swarms of ●●em your Highness will hardly find one relenting, repenting Zaccheus. And for those Treasurers that have laid out the Commonwealths moneys in Lands, their Lands will and is by the Law of this Nation liable till they have perfected their Accounts, and come out of the Commonwealths debt: And the like for any Accountant that is dead, their Heirs and Executors by the Law are liable to pay the same, if an Estate can be found in their hands.  
May it pleas your Highness, the business of calling the Treasurers of the Nation to a strict Account (as he humbly conceiveth) can and will offend none but the guilty; and they will storm to see these humble Proposals, or that any should presume to be so much a true Englishman and lover of his Country, as to petition for an account of these Treasurer's actions, either to your Highness or the Parliament; For th●se that have been just in their Trust, this humble Petition will make no impression on them:  
It will only concern, vex and griev the Guilty, and such as have cozened your Highness and the Commonwealth; All such as cannot endure this Examination, trial and rubbing, if they winch, they are galled horses and faulty.  
But for such as are just persons in their Trust, in their public Accounts and Payments, that have none of the Commonwealth's Blood and Sinews (Money) converted to their private ends; nor have made themselves and their families rich by fraud in these troublesome Times and common Calamities; there are many such just men (no doubt) in all these Offices; for these Gentlemen (no doubt) it will pleas them: This search and inquisition (the stricter it is) will pleas good men most, for it will purge the dross from the gold; it will clear honest men's credits; it will separate the sheep from the goats; it will vindicate them and their posterity, that when so many of their Callings and Mysteries (when Inquisition was made) were found guilty of fraud and cheating the State and Commonwealth, they discharged their Trust with a good conscience faithfully and truly.  
And I hope all this number of Committe-men will be on my side, for to have a strict Inspection into their Accounts, according, to former Precedents of Parliament, and by the Laws of the Land hath been formerly done.  
May it pleas your Highness; An Act to be revived, and to appoint the Sages and Pillars of the Land to see Justice and execution impartially done, employing able and discreet persons by your Highness' Commissions in every Parish and County of this Nation, to inquire (upon oath) into all Frauds and misdemeanours; and what Persons and Estates and their value, have been sequestered, (what Goods and Chattels, Woods felled, money and all other things of value) since the year 1642. and into whose hands and possession the Profits came; and into the monthly Assessments and the value of every Book of Rates, and what Commissioners signed the Books; the Account of the County particularly set down, who were Treasureres, an● to give them a full charge to inspect into all the Officers of Excize and Customs, Commissioners for Prize Goods, all Treasurers and other Officers both in London and all other Cities, Burroughs, Towns and Ports in the Country, that have fingered the public money, This strictly and impartially to be done (upon the oaths of able and discreet persons) in every Parish in England, will lay the axe to the root of the Tree, and grubb up by the roots unjust Committee-men and Treasurers, and all such as have defrauded your Highness and the Commonwealth: And this will bring your Highness in millions of money and ease the public Taxes.  
May it pleas your Highness; From such as are true honest Englishmen and love their Country I look for no opposition in setting this Business on foot for calling the Accomptants and Treasurers of the Nation to Account; but it is the guilty party that will be sure to sting me (and they are both potent and numerous) with the venom of their tongues, which is as bad as the poison of Asps; for this Business doth touch them to the quick, and they and their Creatures will leave no stone unturned to do me a mischief.  
Therefore upon my knees I most humbly beg your Highness 's and the Parliaments gracious and  Countenance and Protection of these my true and loyal Endeavours for the Service of your Highness and this Parliament; Which gracious Protection and Favour shall forever oblige your most humble and loyal Subject to pray daily for all God's choicest Blessings on your Highness' Person, and on your Princely Illustrious and Glorious FAMILY; That all Plots and wicked Designs against your HIGHNESS may be blasted and come to naught; That your HIGHNESS may be victorious against all your Enemies both by Sea and Land; That your HIGHNESS may Protect these Nations in Honour and Glory many years: And at the end of your Government and prosperous. Rule here on Earth, your HIGHNESS may be taken into the Protection of him that made the Heavens, and there to Reign with his Son for ever in eternal Glory; So prays  
Your HIGHNESS 's most humble Loyal and obedient Subject, THO. VIOLET. September 1656.   

To His Highness OLIVER LORD PROTECTOR OF England, Scotland & Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging.  
May it pleas Your Highness!  
WHen I heard (in November 1655.) your most Honourable Counsel was upon settling a way for the taking up of the Accounts in general of this Nation; and they had recommended it to your Highness for your Highness' confirmation (thereupon divers Auditor●●●d worthy Gentlemen were nominated to inspect and take the Accounts of some particular persons, viz. of the Commissioners of the Customs, and others) I humbly thought it my duty, living under your Highness' Protection, not to neglect any opportunity wherein I might show myself serviceable unto your Highness and the Commonwealth: And having formerly (in August 1653.) humbly presented my humble Proposals to the Parliament, for calling the Accomptants of the Nation in general unto a just and due Account (but as the sequel proved, it was not God's time for the then doing of it): Also I did again renew this my humble Petition to your Highness on November 8 1655. (In which my most humble request, I was and am far from charging all Treasurers, Committee men, Sequestrators, Excize-men, Commissioners of the Customs, etc. to be all falls and unjust Stewards; I humbly say, I was and am far from that: for, I believe, there is some good Corn amongst this great heap of chaff & tares.) My humble suit to your Highness was and is, That this heap of Chaff and Corn (the Treasurers and Sequestrators) may be winnowed and sifted; the Chaff and Tares from the good Corn, and that a strict Inspection be made into all their Accounts, both for Pajements and Receipts (according to the strict Rules of former times, and according to many Precedents and Acts of Parliament in several Ages) by knowing just and  men, such as will make it their whole Business to inspect into the Frauds, and present your Highness with the Truth (without respect of persons) and how they find each man's Actions; That so your Highness (in imitation of the great Judge of Heaven and Earth, whose Deputy you are here over us) may render to every one according to his works. To such Gentlemen that shall be approved just and faithful in their Accounts of this Nation, your Highness would be graciously pleased to set a mark of Respect and Trust upon them, for that they have been found Just in their Generation, and not tempted (as Acan was) with the Babylonish Garment, desilver, nor the Wedg of Gold. And for the faulty Treasurers and Sequestrators, and all such as shall be proved to have cozened the Commonwealth, in detaining or defrauding the Commonwealth of their moneys, Goods, Lands, Merchandise, etc. or by imbezling any thing of value from your Highness and the Commonwealth, They may be served as the Unjust Steward was in the 16th of Luke's Gospel and ver. 2. Give an Account of thy Stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer Steward: And to have a mark put on them, never to bear any Office of Trust in the Commonwealth more; And that according to the Statute of 6. Hen. 4. cap. 3. Commissions may issue forth, directed to discreet and able persons, to inquire and certify the Profits the said Accomptants have received within each County of this Nation; and what shall be found to be by them concealed and not accounted for, the said Accomptants may be attainted of the said Frauds and Deceits by a Jury of Inquirie, and be made to pay the penalty, being triple the damage.  
This excellent Law (for the strict and just taking up all the Accounts of Sequestrators, Treasurers, Collectors of monthly Taxes, Committee-men, Excize-men, Commissioners of Customs, etc.) to be put in execution, will bring your Highness and the Commonwealth in millions of money, and ease the good People in general of the Nation of their Taxes, if they pay but the Principal and Interest for what will be found, upon a strict and just Inquirie, in your Treasurers and Accomptants hands.  
A Copy of the Papers I delivered unto Your HIGHNES' Nou. 8. 1655. (viz.) Proposals, humbly conceived for your Highness' Service.  
May it pleas your HIGHNESS; My most humble Petition for Your Service is,  
THat there be speedy order taken, that the Commissioners for your Highness' prize-good, and all others that have had private Letters of mart or Letters of Reprisal, Commissioners for Excise and Customs, Treasurers of Goldsmith's Hall, Drury, Worcester, and Gurney houses, may have no discharge from your Highness, till they have and shall deliver in their Accounts, and till that some especial Commissioners be appointed and fully impowered by your Highness to examine, hear and determine the said Accounts; And the Commissioners or any three of them impowered to examine upon oath all such person & persons, as they shall have information, that can and will discover the several practices and frauds that all or any the above said persons have acted concerning your Highness and the public money of this Nation, Prise ships, and Prize Merchandise; And that the Commissioners may be empowered to send for witnesses and all accounts, books, papers, which may any ways conduce to prove the said frauds and misdemeanours, according to a pattern of an Act of Parliament in the 10th year of Richard the second and 6. Henry 4. Chap. 3. And that your Highness would be pleased to keep a careful eye on this business, and to command of your Commissioners for this great business, an exact and true account (without all favour) or affection of all the several frauds and misdemeanours against your Highness and the Common wealth, which they shall find proved unto them, and all the several names of the offenders, and their particular frauds and offences, which shall or may be proved to your Highness' Commissioners concerning all the premises.  
May it pleas your Highness, for the Commissioners of the Customs, I humbly say, if they knew of Colonel Harvies deceitful and fraudulent practices, and did not discover them, than they are parties in the same Condemnation with him. And if the Commissioners say they did not know it, nor could apprehend the same; then, I must humbly say, they are ignorant, and not fit for their trust and places. For they ought all of them to have an equal inspection every week, what sums of money came in for your Highness' account, and what is issued out. And I must humbly say, they receiv their pension for that end, and not to stand as Ciphers in their Office. If your Highness give a Command for a strict and Exact prosecution of this business; It will bring you in a fe●● months many hundred thousand pounds.  
May it pleas your Highness, I have formerly presented, these humble proposals to the Parliament, but there was nothing done for the discovery of these offences. The reason why they did not proceed, will on examination be clearly discovered. I shall enlarge these humble proposals for your Highness' service, if I receiv your further direction and commands to proceed therein, humbly submitting them and myself at your Highness' feet.  
Your Highness' most humble Loyal and obedient Subject, THO. VIOLET.  
[Amongst the names of many Worthy Persons, I most humbly presented unto your Highness that (to my particular knowledge, if they were impowered) could make great Discoveries unto your Highness of the Frauds of the Accomptants of the Nation, concerning the public Treasure. Your Highness took especial and particular notice of one, namely, Gabriel Beck Esquire, and your Highness commanded me to find him out, and that you would signify your pleasure to him what you would have done in this Business; which I did accordingly]  

March 23. 1655.  
MAy it pleas your Highness, I am credibly informed that one Maj. Will. Jervis, for the good of the Commonwealth, and for your Highness' service, hath presented several frauds and misdemeanours, practised by several Commissioners at Drury-hous and other places, upon the sale of Delinquents estates, Deans and Chapters Lands, the Kings, Queens, and Princes Revenues, forging of Debenters, and several other practices, to the great loss and prejudice of your Highness and this nation. And that by your Highness' appointment, there are several persons of quality and integrity, appointed for the hearing and final determination of all matters concernning the aforesaid frauds, presented by Major William Jervis.  
I most humbly desire for your Highness' service, that the commissioners appointed by your Highness, may have under their care and charge the humble Proposals I have formerly presented to your Highness on the 8th of November 1655. and that your Highness would be graciously pleased to appoint me Thomas Violet, the Remembrancer to your Highness' Commissioners, for the discovery and prosecution of the offenders, with such allowance for my pains, as your Highness shall think fit: And that your Highness would be pleased to read an Act of Parliament made in the tenth year of King Richard the Second; of which I most humbly present you with a true Copy, for the discovering of all abuses, and frauds of this Nature (as I most humbly have petitioned to have redressed) for your Highness' profit and honour, and good of the Nation.  
If your Highness be pleased to read the Act, it is made for the redress and punishment of all the deceits and frauds of these present times. The wisdom of that Parliament found this a Cordial, to enrich the King, and ease the people in general of great outrages and oppressions, and insupportable charges (the very words of the Statute); and the Parliament was so careful to have all persons brought to punishment, that had defrauded the King and Realm, that they made it a praemunire and loss of any man's Estate and imprisonment (of what degree soever) that persuaded or gave Counsel unto the King to have the said Law defeated; and for the second offence, to move the King to do contrary to this Act, he shall lose his life and member, as appears by the said Act. etc.  
Here followeth at large the Statute of Richard the Second.  
This is the STATUTE Made at Westminster in the tenth year of K. Richard the Second. Viz.  
KNOW ye, that (at the Reverence of GOD, and for to nourish peace, unity, and good accord, in all parties, within the Realm of England; and especially, for the common profit and eas of our people, and good governance of the same of our Realm of England, which we sovereignly desire) Of the assent of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament holden at Westmi●ster the first day of October last passed, we have done to be made a Statute, aswell to the amendment of the said Governance as for the common profit of the said Realm, in the form following:  
WHEREAS our sovereign Lord the King perceiveth by the grievous complaints of the Lords and Commons, of this Realm, in the present Parliament assembled, that the profits, rents and revenues of this Realm, by singular & insufficient counsel, & evil governance, aswel of some his late great officers, as of divers other persons, being about his person, be so much withdrawn, wasted, eloyned, given, granted, aliened, destroyed, and evil dispended, that he is so much impoverished, and void of Treasure and goods and the substance of the Crown somuch diminished and destroyed, that his estate, and the estate of his house, may not honourably be sustained, as pertaineth, nor the wars, which daily aboundeth, and environ his Realm, maintained, nor governed, without grate and outrageous oppressions, and insupportable charges of his said people, And also that the good laws Statutes and Customs of his said Realm, (which he is bounden to hold and observe) be not, nor have not been, duly holden nor executed, nor full justice nor right done to his said people, whereby many disherisons, and divers great mischiefs, and damages be happened, aswell to the King, as to his said people, and to all his Realm; whereof he to the honour of God, and for the weal of him and his Realm, And for the quietness and Relief of him and of his people, who have been in divers manners greatly charged, before this time, willing, with the grace of God; against such mischiefs, to provide a good and due remedy. HATH, of his free will, and at the request of the Lords and Commons aforesaid, ordained, made, and assigned, his great Officers, that is to say, The Chancellor, Treasurer, and keeper of his Privy Seal, such as he holdeth good sufficient and lawful, for the honour, and profit of him and his Realm, And moreover, of his authority royal, certain knowledge, and good agree, and freewill, And by the advice; and assent, of the Prelates, Lords and Commons aforesaid, in the full Parliament, in aid of good governance of his Realm, And good and due execution of his said Laws, And in relief of the Estate of him and his people in time to come, upon the full trust that he hath of good advisement, wit and discretion, of the Honourable Fathers in GOD, William Arch Bishop of Canterbury, and Alexander Arch Bishop of York, his dear Uncle's edmond duke of York, and Thomas duke of Gloucester, the honorble Fathers in GOD, William Bishop of Winchester, Thomas bishop of Exeter, and Nicolas Abbott of waltham, and his wellbeloved and Faithful Richard Earl of Arundel, John Lord of Cobham, Sir Richard le Scrope & John Devoreux, hath ordained, and assigned, and deputed them, by his Letters, Patents, under his great Seal, to be of his great and continual Counsel, from S. edmond's Eve the Martyr, by a whole year, next following, after the date of the said Letters Patens, to survey and examine, with the said great officers, That is to say, the Chancellor, & Treasurer, and keeper of his privy Seal, aswell the Estate and governance of his house, and of all his Courts, and places, as of all his Realm, as of all his officers, and Ministers, of whatsoever Estate, Degree, or condition he be, aswell within the said House, as without, and to inquire, and take Information, by all the ways which to them best shall seem of all the rents, revenues, and profits, that to him appertaneth, and be due, aswell within the Realm, as without, in any manner way or condition. And of all manner of Gifts, and Grants, alienations and confirmations, made by him, of Lands Tenements, Rents, and ymmunities, profits; Revenues, wards, marriges, Escheats, forfeitures, franchises, liberties, voydances of Archbushops' Bushiprickes, Abbeys, Priores, Fermes, of Houses, and Possessions, of Aliens, And of all other possessions soms, of money, goods and Chattels, and of all other things, and to what persons, and for what cause, and how, and in what manner, And namely of those persons which have taken without desert, And also all manner of Revenues, and profits, aswell of his said Realm, as of Lands, Signories, Cities, Towns, Castles, Fortresses, and also of all manner his other posesons, aswell on this side the Sea, as beyond, and of the profits, and emoluments, of his money, bullions, and of the taking of Prisoners, Towns; and Places, Ships, Carackes', good, and Ransoms, of war, by land and by sea, And of benefices and other possessions of Cardinals; Rebels; and all other aliens, and also of carrying of money out of the Realm, by the Collectors of the Pope, Procurators, of the Cardinals, Lumberds, & other persons, aswell aliens as Denizens, And of the Emoluments, and profits, coming, and rising, out of the Customs Subsides, of Wools, Leather, And woolfels and of small Custstomes and other Subssedies of Cloethes, Wynes, and all other Merchandise, And of disines, quinzins, And all other subsides and charges, granted by the Clergy, and the Commons, and also of the receipt, profits and payments of the hamper of his Chancery, And of all other his receipts from the time of his Coronatiion, tell And of fees, Wages, and rewards of officers, and Ministers, more, and less, Also of immunities, and other Rewards, And also gifts and grants made to any person by him, and by his Father, and his grand father, in fee, or for term of life, or in any other manner And if gre or payment be to them thereof made, and by whom, and how And in what manner. And also how much they have released or given, to officers or others to have their payments to what persons how, and in what manner, And of Lands Tenements, Rents, Revenues, and forfeitures, barganed and sold, to the prejudice and damage, of him, and of his Crown, and by whom, and to whom, how, and in what manner, And of the Sale or bargain of Tallies and Patens of singular profits, aswell in the time of his said grandfather, as in his own time, and how, and by what persons, And also of all his jewels and goods which were his said Grandfathers, at the time of his death, and what, and of what price or value, and where they be become, and how, and in what manner, And of all Cheviences any wise made to his use, by any manner of persons, And of all loss and damage he hath had, & fustained, by the same, And by what persons, how and in what manner; and of charters of pardons general and espcciall, and also of the sums and payments and manner of expense, aswell of his said house, as for the salvation and defence of his Realms, Lands and seignioryes, Towns, Castles, and fortresses, and other Places, on this side the Sea, and beyond, done and received, by any persons, aswell Soldiers as others, and by any manner of way, and how and in what manner, and how much they have given to have their payments; and of the concealments of rights, and profits, and by whom, how, and in what manner, and of maintainers, and takers of quarrels, embracers of inquests, and of officers, and ministers, made by brockage, and of their broggers, and of them that have taken the said brocage, and how and in what manner; and also of all the defaults and offences that be done aswell in his said house, as other places, and courts, aforesaid, as in all other places, within his realm of England, by any manner of persons, whereby the profit of him and of his crown hath been impaired, and diminished or the common law disturbed, delayed or other damage to him happened, giving & committing by the same of his royal authority and by the advice and assent v, to the said counsellors, or any six of them, and to the great officers, full power & authority general & especial, to enter his said house, & all the offices of the same, and all his other Courts & places, as often as them pleas, & to cause to come before them, where & when them pleaseth. The Rolls records. and other minuments & evidences, such as them liketh, and all the defaults, waste and excesses found in his said house, and also all the defaults, and misprisions found in the other courts, places, officers and ministers, aforesaid and in all the other Articles, and points, above named and every one of them, And also all other defaults misprisions, excesses, falcities, deceits, extorsions, oppressions, damages greviances, done in prejudice damage and distress, of him and of his crown, and the Estate of his realm, in general or special, above not specified nor expressed, to amend correct, repair, redress, reform, and put in due and good estate and establishment.  
And also to hear and receiv, all manner of complaints, and quarrels, of all his lieges which will sue and complain them aswell for our sovereign Lord the King, as for themselves before the said Counsellors & officers of all manner of duresses, oppressions, injuries, wrongs & misprisions, which may not be well amended nor determined, by the course, of the common law of the land, before used: and thereof to make good and due remedy, and recovery aswell for our said sovereign Lord the King, as for his said Liege people and all the things, aforesaid and every of them, fully to discuss and finally to determine, and thereof to make full execution, according as to them best shall seem, for the honour and profit of our said sovereign Lord the King and of his estate, and reintegration of the rights and profits of his said crown, and better governance of the peace and laws of his Land; and relief of his said people. Willing also that if diversity and variance of opinion rise or happen between the said counsellors, and officers, that the Judgement or opinion, of the greater party have force and hold place, as in the said letters patents is fully contained.  
Whereupon our said sovereign Lord the King, willing that the corrections and redresses of the defaults, and misprisions aforesaid may be for the profit of him, and his said Realm, in the form aforesaid, put in due execution, without being broken or disturbed, by any of the assent of the Lords and Commons, of his said Realm, in this present parliament hath ordained and established: that every one of his said Liege's, greater or less, of whatsoever estate, or Condition that he be shall be attendant and obedient; in how much that toucheth the Articles aforesaid, and every dependency thereon, to the said counsellors and officers, in the form aforesaid. And that every person, that shall be judged before them: and convicte of any the defaults, or misprissions aforesaid, shall take and receiv without debate, making such correction as shall be judged to them by the said counsellors and officers, in the form aforesaid: And that no person of what estate or condition, that he be grater or less shall give to the King, privily or apertly, counsel, exhortation or motion, whereby the King should repeal their power within the time aforesaid, in any point nor do any thing contrary of his said grant, or, of any the said articles. And if any person of what estate, or condition, that he be, do against the Ordinance and Establishment aforesaid, or procure or do any thing in any manner whereby the said Counsellors be disturbed, in any point: upon the exercise of the said power, Or which exciteth or procureth our said sovereign Lord the King to do or command, any manner of thing whereby the power of the said Counsellors and Officers, or the execution of their said judgements & awards to be made in the same, be in any point aforesaid defeated, and that duly proved by good and true witnesses, which be notoriously holden, of good fame and condition, not suspected convenably, examined before the King, and the counsellors and officers aforesaid, any of the justices of the one Bench or other: taken to them or other discreet and Learned in the Law, such as pleas the said Councillors and officers: shall have such penance, that is to say, at the first time he shall be so convicted, he shall forfeit all his goods and chattles to the king, and nevertheless, he shall be imprisoned at the kings; will: and if any person be duly attainted in the form aforesaid of council, excitation or motion given to the King, or of doing the contrary of his said grant as aforesaid, albeit the king, do nothing by such council, excitation or motion, yet he shall have such penance as afore; And if it happen (which god defend,) that he so bear him afterward, that he be another time attainted (as afore) of any the said defaults, or misprisions, than the same person so convicted or attainted, shall have at the s●cond time the penance of life and of member, saveing always the dignity pontiffical and privileges of holy Church & Clerical in all the things aforesaid.  
And that this Statute hold force & effect, during the said Commission only, and therefore we Command thee that thou do the said Statute openly to be cried and published in Cities Burroughs, Towns and fairs, markets, & other notable places, within the Baily-wick, within franchises, and with out according, to the tenor and form of the same,  
Dated etc.  
The Statute of 6 Hen. 4. Chap. 3. Made against the frauds of escheators, alnagers customers, and other acountants that defraud the King, ordains, comissions to be directed to the most lawful and discreet persons in every County to inquire into all frauds of accountants, who have deceitfully concealed the King's deuce: & in case they shall be attainted, they shall forfeit triple damages, and their bodies to prison etc.  
May it please your Highness,  
PEradventure some (upon the sight of this Act) may allege, this Statute was made in the Reign of a weak and unfortunate Prince, to restrain the disorders of his House, and to bring to Justice evil Counsellors; and will say, God be thanked, we have a wise and victorious Protector, and a provident and frugal Counsel, and provident Officers and Ministers under them: I grant this a truth, and I thank God for it. But this I humbly say, Amongst the exactest model that ever was upon earth (which was Christ and his Disciples) there was a Judas amongst the twelv. May it pleas your Highness, (upon examination of some of the Transactions of the long Parliament, concerning money matters, some particular members with some of their Committees, and many of their Agents, and many great persons employed in the Commonwealth, at this very day) there will appear to your Highness above one Judas in twelv, taking in all that were members of Parliament, with their Committees and Agents, some of them being in great places of Trust at this day; Many of them being provident Thiefs, getting from the bottom of baseness and beggary, by fraud, dissimulation and cozenage, in every County, City and Corner of the Nation, vast and great possessions, both in money, lands and goods. Many of these men being near of kin and condition to the Unjust Steward in the Gospel, who (when his Lord called him to account, because he could not dig nor delve) joins with his Lords Debtors to cousin his Lord and Master; and this is the true stare of this Business. Upon the peril of my life, this your Highness will find to be the true condition (upon examination) of many members in the long Parliament, many Committee-men, many Farmers of the Customs, many Commissioners for Delinquents Lands, many Purchasers of Lands, many Excize-men, many Commissioners for prize-good, and many other persons of all callings and conditions that have had employment for the public, and have fingered the public Treasure ever since the year 1640. of every condition great numbers, who (amongst them) have stolen and cozened the Commonwealth of above twenty millions of money.  
May it pleas your Highness, I have ever esteemed that man a bad Bailiff or Steward, that desires to keep a confederacy and correspondency with his Lords Tenants and Debtors, that so they may keep their Landlord and Master in ignorance, never to know the value of his estate, nor when nor how to make his improvement; but when casualties fall, to pocket up the profits themselves, and defraud their Lord, and keep him always poor, that so they may be always held useful and necessary by their Lords and Masters, when indeed they are but juggling Knaves, and are the bain and dishonour of their Lord and Master both in his Estate and Reputation: I most humbly say, that if there be any against the discovery of these Abuses, your Highness will (upon examination find them parties or near of affinity to them that have cozened your Highness and the Commonwealth. I humbly upon my knees beg your Highness' pardon for these my plain and loyal expressions, which proceed from the heart of one that daily prays to God for your Highness' peace, safety and prosperity.  
Your Highness 's most dutiful and loyal Subject, THO. VIOLET.   

May it pleas your Highness,  
I Requested Mr Kelleway to deliver into your Highesses own hand this Business in a written parchment, and a written sheet of paper annexed thereunto; it containing a Business (in this conjuncture of time) very necessary for your Highness' perusal and observation (as your Supplicant humbly conceiveth) praying your Highness to signify your pleasure to your Supplicant thereupon, by your Servant Mr Kelleway. And your obedient Supplicant and Subject (as in duty bound) shall daily pray, etc.  
April 1. 1656. Your Highness 's most dutiful and obedient Subject, THO. VIOLET.   

May it pleas your Highness,  
AN Act of Parliament now so effectually made, and so effectually prosecuted (as this Act in Richard the Seconds time was) would bring your Highness in many hundred thousands of pounds, if the care of the mannagement of this great Business be left to men of  Interests, that will see to the strict examination and punish of the offenders great and small; it will eas the people in general of many of their taxes. A few Laws well executed is better than a multitude of Laws, and the execution neglected. And this Act in King Richard the Seconds time, appoints the Pillars of the Land to see to the due execution and punishing the offenders. And the wisdom of that Parliament would not appoint Commissioners of a meaner degree, lest through fear or for reward Justice might be blinded and overawed (as many times it is) when ordinary persons have the execution thereof: Great Trust in mean men's hands is subject to miscarriage.   

May it pleas your Highness,  
I Have delivered in to your Highness' Commissioners for discoveries at Worcester house in writing the 30th of May 1656, these Discoveries annexed, amounting to about the sum of four hundred thousand pounds, which your Highness and the Commonwealth have been defrauded of, I have humbly desired their direction to me thereupon: and that I might have a Copy of their Commission; that so I might be informed, whether these my Discoveries (on the Terms and Conditions I have presented them) be comprised therein: and whether any encouragement is to the Discoverer for so doing. My most humble Suit to your Highness is, that I may be impowered to inspect all and every such papers, books, warrants, accounts and orders as may conduce to make my discoveries. And further, to examine upon Oath all such persons who can and will prove the aforesaid Frauds. The whole premises (as I have humbly stated it to the Committee) I present to your Highness, and most humbly beg your Highness to vouchsafe your Highness gracious perusal, it being (as your humble Subject conceiveth) very much for your service; and to be pleased to signify your gracious pleasure therein. And, as in duty bound, your Supplicant shall daily pray, etc.  
30. May 1656. Your Highness most humble and faithful Subject THO. VIOLET.   

Here followeth the Copy of the Writing I delivered in to your Highness' Commissioners.  
To the honourable the Committee for Discoveries, sitting at Worcester House.  
May it pleas your Honours,  
I Am certainly informed by those that are learned in the Laws; That all Sequestrators, Treasurers, Receivers, and all such who have the States Tenths upon Reprisals in their hands, Committee men and all other persons whatsoever, in whose hands any moneys, Jewels, Plate, Goods or Merchandise or other things of value whatsoever, belonging to the late King, the Parliament, his Highness the Lord Protector or the Public; The said persons, their heirs, executors and administrators, and their, and every one of their lands, goods, tenements, etc. into whose hands soever they be converted and do come, and all other lands, tenements, goods and chattels which any other than had in Trust, or for their Use, or which at any time or ever after they had power to dispose of: Are all liable for the payment and answering of the said public Debts and Accounts of the said Treasurers, Receivers, Sequestrators, and such as have the State's Tents in their hands concerning all Reprisals of Ships. And their heirs, executors, administrators, Tertennants and all others into whose hands the said goods, lands, moneys, Jewels, Merchandise, etc. do by whatsoever means come: Are all accountable for, and must pay and satisfy the same to his Highness.  
May it pleas your honours, This being granted a Truth, the old Maxim of my Lord Cook's will now at this day prove true, That whosoever eats the King's goose, the feathers at one time or other will stick in his throat: And that all persons whomsoever, whether Committee-men, Sequestrators, Treasurers, or any other persons whomsoever, his and their Estates, their Heirs, Executors and Administrators are always chargeable with Debts due to his Highness and the Commonwealth, without his Highness' gracious pardon. And that this is Law, there are many Judgements and Precedents in the Exchequer; which, if there be occasion to satisfy your Honours, I will cause some learned Gentleman in the Law to produce to you Precedents and Statutes. And I also desire your patience to read my Ensuing Queries thereupon, Viz.  

May it pleas your Honours,  
I Humbly present these Queries to you, and desire to receiv your Judgements thereupon; that so I may know whether my Discoveries are within Cognizance of your Commission, when they are Discoveries of this nature as these in my Queries I set down: All which I humbly present unto you, as being very material both for his Highness' service and for myself. As for my part, I intent to make your Judgements thereupon to be my Rule (either to proceed or desist in these following Discoveries) to avoid unnecessary expense and trouble both to myself and others.  
My humble Queries are these following.  
1. WHen Commissioners are or have 
My Copy is not perfectly exact●●. 〈◊〉 in so●e one or two small particulars it may ●●●fer from the Original which I put up to the Commissioners at Worcester house.  been appointed either by Ordinance of Parliament, or Order of the Council of State, or under the Great Seal of England, for to take the Care and Charge of the Sale of all Prize Ships, and Merchandise, brought in by any of the men of War, of the late Parliament or of his Highness' and the State's Shipping; and all and every one of the said Commissioners having allowance of Poundage, or yearly Fees from the State for that Service, for their care and pains in the sale of all or any Merchandise, Gold Silver, Jewels, Plate, Ships and all other goods whatsoever brought in for the Use of the Public: Which Commissioners have been appointed by Parliament, Counsel of State, or his Highness: And by virtue of that Power, Commissioners have acted, being all of them obliged and tied to make a true and just Account upon oath unto his Highness of all sums of money they receiv, and the just and true value of all Merchandise and Goods they have been entrusted with the Sale, without any fraud or mental reservations, saving only their just Fees and Sallerie appointed to each of the Commissioners by the Parliament or his Highness. And these Commissioners having failed in their Trust, whether (according to the Statute, 6 Hen. 4. Cap 3.) this be within the Cognizance of your Commission to punish the Offenders, and to cause them all to make a just and true Account, upon oath, and to pay the Commonwealth what they have defrauded the State for what remains in their hands.  
2. Whether these Commissioners (when they had their Commissions) have Covenanted jointly or severally with the State to give a just and true Account to his Highness and the Parliament. And whether they be guilty all of them (that were put into one Commission) if I prove the offence of some of them: Or whether only such of the Commissioners as are proved guilty, and the other Commissioners (though their power was all of one date, and they acted together) shall not be accountable, but every man for himself severally to answer for his own particular actions and no further.  
3. That if I shall prove some of the Commissioners for the States Prise Goods, HAVE sorted out Wines, Sugars, Oils, Wools, Fruit, silks, Linen, Cloth of Gold and Silver, Jewels, Pearl, Civer, Bezer Stones, and any sorts of Commodities in any Cellars, Ships, Warehouses, or other Places within this Nation, either by themselves, servants, Cooper's, Brokers, Porters or any other skilful persots in Merchandise; and when this sorting, picking, garbling, is one, to reserve a quantity more or less of this sorted, picked, and garbled Merchandise, for the Commissioners themselves, either one or more of them, viz. If the Commissioners or Sub-commissioners for the State make a sale of thirty thousand Pounds of goods and merchandise, more or less, there having been before Ten thousand Ponds of this merchandise sorted and garbled out for the Commissioners.  
As in one Instance, Suppose 300 Tons of French Wines are the whole Parcel of Wines the State hath by their Commissioners to Sell, and 200 Tunns of this Wine is exposed to Sale by the State's Commissioners, and sold by the Candle (as the usual way is, publicly to every man, (And one hundred Tunns of this French Wines, being picked out of the choicest and principal of the whole Parcel, is reserved for a Commissioner or Commissioners for the sale of Prize goods, and these Commissioners shall pretend this small Parcel of 100 Tunns of Wines is not worth the trouble to make a new Sale by the Candle: And thereupon these Commissioners or Sub-commissioners (being entrusted to sell these Wines by the State, having a Fee or Salary for the same) do, contrary to their Trust, either by themselves in their own name or names, or get friends, and use the names of others to buy the said 100 Tunns of Wines, but so that still the Commissioners have the profit of the said Wines so sold, when in truth this 100 Tunns of Wines, picked and sorted out of 300 Tunns, was realy worth, in the Market, as much as the 200 Tunns sold publicly by the Candle for 15l, 16l, 20ls the Tunn, and sometimes more: And some of the Commiseioners for Prize goods have bought for their own uses the Hundred Tons of the choicest and picked Wines at the rate of 15l, 16l, 20ls the Tun, and sometimes more, which Wines have been by the said Commissioners sold to the Vintners and others at 30l, 35l, and 40ls a Tunn, ready money, when the State hath had but 15l. and ●0l. allowed and put down on their Account. This demonstration serves for all their Wines, Sugars, Tobaccoes, Silks, Linens, Salt, Civet, Bezer-stones, Pearls, Jewels, Wools, Oils, Fruit and Spice, and all other Commodities brought in any the States Prizes. These merchandises sorted, garbled and picked from the gross bulk, may be better in the true value then the gross quantity of merchandise sold usually by the Candle, sometimes 20l. 30l. 40ls. in the hundred; and sometimes (where goods are perishable) half in half, there is so much difference in the sorting. And whether these Commissioners (being entrusted to sell the State's Goods at the best rate) could underhand buy these Goods themselves, after they have been picked and sorted, or go partners with any that did buy, and that much under the true value, as will be found upon examination by my discovery.  
4. Whether these things being duly proved, the Commissioners for prize-good and every one of them, are not liable to make a true account to his Highness, and to stand charged with all the surplusage of moneys they have made of all or any the prize-good belonging to the State and his Highness, which they have not as yet duly and truly accounted for, and to be ordered to deliver in upon their several oaths a just and true account of all the Merchandise, Jewels, Diamonds, Pearls, Civet, Beazar-stones, etc. that have come into their custody, and what Prize Ships or Goods they sold and had a share in themselves, & of the true value of all merchandise that hath come to their hands, and whether I may not cause to be viewed all Books and Papers which I know can evidence the same, and thereupon produce any person or persons to be examined, to find out the bottom of the fraud; and whether any person or persons nominated to be examined as witnesses touching the premises, shall be compelled to declare their knowledge (except the party or parties themselves;) and whether your Commission doth empower you the Commissioners to give me a full fifth part of all such sums of money as shall be paid into the Exchequer, upon any discovery of all or any the aforesaid misdemeanours? I humbly pray your Honours, to take notice that the Commissioners for Prize goods always have had a great fee and allowance settled on every one of them for their pains and trouble; and therefore I conceiv they are obliged to deliver in an exact and just account upon oath in writing of all the several ships and merchandise to his Highness.  
5. For the Commissioners of Excize, Treasurers of Goldsmiths-hall, Commissioners of Drury and Gurney-houses, Collectors for the Plymouth Duties for redeeming of poor Slaves at Tunis and Argier, etc. that have had several Ordinances and Orders of Parliament, Orders from the Counsel of State, Orders from his Highness, for the payment of great sums of money, as this Case is stated; (viz.) John Do hath an Ordinance from his Highness, or formerly from the Parliament or Counsel of State, for six thousand pounds charged upon the Excise (or any other Treasury) to be presently paid or in course; (These Commissioners have also a great Fee and Salary for their pains, and more than that they cannot lawfully expect nor contract with John Do to make an abatement of the said Debt of 6000l. but (as I humbly conceiv) by making such a bargain for their private profit, by installing a public Debt, and to put the profit up to their particular use, they are liable to a Fine to his Highness, as I have proved unto you in a precedent done by Act of Parliament in Richard the Seconds time (as appears by the Records;) Commissions were granted to find out that very offence, besides to be liable and make good all such sums of money, and damages for forbearance, as shall be proved they have craftily and fraudulently concealed and kept the same money from his Highness.) As for example; the aforesaid Six thousand pounds warrant of John Does, the Treasures (or some one of them) taking advantage of John Does necessity, treat with him, and compound for his said Order or Ordinance which is for six thousand pounds, for three thousand pounds, more or less (as John Do and the State's Treasurer can agree); and John Do makes his bargain for more or less, as he is straitened in his occasions, and as his payments grow upon him: Upon John Does receiving the money, he agrees for, (it may be 3000l. 4000l. or 5000l. for his Order of 6000l.) He, upon receipt of the sum contracted for, makes a general and full acquittance and discharge for the whole sum of 6000l. aforesaid. My humble Quere to you is, Whether this is not a fraudulent Act of any Treasurer, Commissioner of the Excize, Custom-hous, and Drury-hous, or any other public Treasurer of the Nation, and every such Treasurer punishable, if he deliver in unto the State the full sum of 6000l. when in truth he hath paid poor J. Do but 3000l. or the sum John Does necessity compelled him to take? And I humbly desire to know of you, Whether you have power by your Commission to send for John Do or any other person that can discover unto you the truth, How much justly of this 6000l was paid to John Do; and to examine him of the grounds and reasons that made him (the said John Do) give a receipt for more money than he received, and the time when the Treasurer or Treasurers made him his payments, and how much truly and really remaineth in the Treasurer's hands, which the said Treasurer hath fraudulently concealed and detained in his hands from his Highness and the Commonwealth; and who and what party or parties were the Agents and Brokers (and where they dwell) to drive the bargain between John Do and the aforesaid Treasurers: whether the said Treasurers have broken their Trust in compounding the State's debt, and putting the whole sum on their account, when they paid but part, they being the State's servants, and receiving Fees and Salary (for their just and faithful performance of their duty in their place of Treasurer or Treasurers) from the Parliament and his Highness? And I know in a Trial in Chancery, between the Lord of Holland and one of his Stewards, who put in several sums of money to the full value in his account to several persons, when he had compounded his Lords debts, and the Steward was allowed no more than he really paid to his Lords Creditors: if this be the Law for a Private man, I hope it will be Law for his Highness and the Commonwealth.  
6. There are two Reasons which make me humbly conceive, that the Preasure or Committee-man, Sequestrator, or whosoever he be, aught to pay to his Highness the sum and interest which he hath concealed, and is liable to a further punishment, without his Highness' pardon: 1. First, because every Receiver is his Highness' Servant, and receivs a Salary for his attendance and pains; and therefore upon that account ought to give a just account upon oath to the Exchequer, both of all the sums of money he receivs (as a Committee-man, Commissioner or Treasurer, justly and truly without fraud) both for principal and interest: if he hath compelled the State's Debtor to pay interest, he ought to account for all that interest to the State; the like just account he ought to put into the Exchequer, for his just and real payments; and if it be proved he delivered in fall, feigned, forged or Averyens Accounts, or put in more money on his account than he hath really paid to every person that is nominated on his account: I humbly conceiv it, all former Ages have held it a high Crime and punishable; and I hope your Honours will do so now. 2. Secondly, As the Receiver or Treasurer will be sure not to charge himself with more money than he truly receivs for the use of the State; so (I humbly say) his Highness' Commissioners for the Treasury, nor the Barons of the Exchequer, ought not to discharge him for any greater sum than the aforesaid Treasurer hath truly and really paid. And this I humbly desire your judgements in (for a greater or lesser sum); and if I shall prove one or more Treasurers guilty of the aforesaid offences, whether you by your Commission are impowered to give me a full fifth part for my discovery of all such sums of money I shall cause to be paid in to the Exchequer touching the premises?  
7. Whereas several Delinquents and purchases of Lands, having made their Compositions and bought Lands, and having given security to the Parliament or to his Highness, and have failed at the several days of their payments; and so continued, some for years, and some for months: And the aforesaid persons (upon the finishing their said payments) have accounted and paid interest to his Highness' Treasurers for all that time they forbore to pay their moneys with interest money, over and above their Bonds they have paid in to the Commissioners and Treasurers appointed to receiv their payments. My humble Quere is, Whether all such interest money (received by any Commissioner, as aforesaid) ought not all to be accounted for by every Treasurer upon oath: and whether a fifth part of the said discovery shall be paid to the Discoverer?  
8. Whether the Treasurers for Charitable uses (as Redemption for Slaves, Plymouth Duties for redeeming of Captives from Argier, Tunis and Tipolis, etc. Collections for the Relief of Ireland, Tanton, and all other Charitable Uses of that nature) be within the cognizance of your Commission; and that a fifth part shall be allowed to any person that can and will make discovery in whose hands any sum of money is collected, as aforesaid, and not truly accounted for, to his Highness?  
9 Whereas several Lands have been illegally and unduly sold; (viz some before a survey or 
This is a particular Charge against the Commissioner, as Drury-hous, for several great abuses and frauds practised by them to the great damage of your Highness, and contrary to their Trust and Oaths.  particular returned) contrary to the Commissioners instructions; And also by their Commission, no Lands ought to be sold till a certain set number of Commissioners were met together; which number made them a Committee: and under that Committee the said persons could not legally act as Commissioners, nor had a lesser number than was appointed them by their Commission power to sell Lands or Gods appertaining to the Commonwealth, and the Commissioners to take a Corporal Oath before they could act as Commissioners, not to act contrary to their Directions and Rules set them: notwithstanding the aforesaid Rules and Instructions appointed unto the Commissioners and trusties by the Parliament and his Highness, and contrary to their Oaths, several great quantities of Lands have been sold by some few of the Commissioners privately, (before the said Commissioners number was full, or the trusties fully impowered to sell any Lands appertaining to the State,) for many days, meeting, and contracting for Lands and Houses, when there were not so many Commissioners met together, as to enable them legally to be a Committee, according to their Commission, and Instructions thereupon. My bumble Querie is, to know, Whether these Sales are good in law, being sold contrary to their Instructions, and by a lesser number of Commissioners than were appointed to sell the Lands: So that many thousand pounds yearly of Delinquents Estates have been sold in reversion, which ought to have been sold in possession. And great and vast sums of money have been reprised by some Commissioners, and the Contracters, contrary to their Trust, have received several sums of money indirectly, of several persons, for their actings, as aforesaid; and have sold Lands at undervalues, viz. When one man hath bid 25 years' value and could not have it, but hath gone without it; another (that hath been a friend) hath bought the same Land for 13 years' value, to the great prejudice of the Commonwealth; I humbly crave your Opinions, Whether all the aforesaid frauds, or any of the said misdemeanours are within Cognizance of your Commission; And the Discoverers to have a Fifth part for all Sums of money that shall be caused to be brought in to the Exchequer upon these Discoveries proposed in this Article.  
10. Whether it be within the Cognizance of your Commission, to take an account of all sums of money that have been collected in the City of London and Lines of Communication, for furnishing the City with Coals; and where that Stock remains? for though some men received back their moneys, without their Interest, after they had been deluded many years, Yet there is many thousand pounds (at this very day) in the Treasurer's hands. And whether all the Treasurers living since 1644, within every County, City, and Borrough, and have been appointed to receive great sums of money, and other Provisions for the relief of Ireland, building of Churches, mending Highways, redeeming of slaves, and other Charitable uses, be within the Cognizance of your Commission, and the Discoverers to have a fifth part.  
11 Whereas great sums of money remain in men's hands that have stolen Custom and Excise, and also in several Committees hands within, this Nation, upon the Account of the public I late of the Nation; and several Taxes viz. of 60000l, 90000l, 120000l a Month, and all other Parlament-Taxes, whereas greater sums of money have been (by virtue and colour of the said Ordinance) collected upon the several Inhabitants of the City of London and Lines of Communication, and in other parts and Counties of this Nation, which moneys have been levied by the Pettie-collectors, and paid in to the great Collectors and Treasurers, and great quantities of these moneys remain in several persons hands, unaccompted for to the great Damage of his Highness and the Public. I humbly desire to know, whether this Discovery be within the Cognizance of your Commission: And the Discoverers to have a Fifth part of all sums of money that shall be paid into the receipt of his Highness' Exchequer. And how I shall be secured of my Fifth part upon all or any the aforesaid Discoveries in the aforesaid Articles, Which I humbly propound unto your grave Judgement; and crave your Orders and Directions thereupon, it tending to, and being highly for his Highness 's service, to have all the aforesaid Frauds strictly examined, and found out.  
I shall, and do attend this business; and when I shall receive your Commands or Directions how I shall steer myself in the Prosecution of this business: And know from you, whether all these Discoveries are within the Verge of your Commission: That then the Discoverers of all or any the offences aforesaid shall have one full Fifth part for his Discovery, of all sums of money due unto his Highness, and unlawfully detained, as aforesaid I shall (upon yours Honour's answer unto me) put in several Claims to all these several Branches aforesaid.   

May it pleas your Honours,  
Several persons have withheld from his Highness and the Commonwealth (in Lands, Tenements, Debts, Duties, Money, Mertchandize, Assessments, Goods and Chattels) the several Sums hereunder named: which several sums of money they have in their hands, or have converted them to their own Uses. I have thought it convenient to conceal their name, and not print them; but to print the Sums by the Numbers, and leave a space for the names.  
Numbers. Pounds. I. 01500 II. 01000 III. 02000 IU. 04000 V. 10000 VI. 16000 VII. 20000 VIII. 06000 IX. 02000 X. 20000 XI. 10000 XII. 06000 XIII. 15000 XIV. 10000 XV. 20000 XVI. 02000 XVII. 04000 XVII. 04000 XIX. 06000 XX. 04000 XXI. 15000 XXII. 05000 XXIII. 20000 XXIV. 06000 XXV. 20000 XXIV. 04000 XXVII. 15000 XXVIII. 12000 XXIX. 12000 XXX. 16000 XXXI. 04000 XXXII. 02000 XXXIII. 02000 XXXIV. 06000 XXXV. 0●000 XXXVI. 02●00 XXXVII. 08000 XXXVIII. 06000 XXXIX. 02000 XL. 03000  
These are the Sums of money which several Gentlemen in this Nation, Accomptants, Treasurers, and others have in their han●s and possessions, or have converted the same to their own private Uses. And all the aforesaid persons ought to be accountable for the Lands, Tenements, Debts, Collections, Assessments, Merchandise, Goods and Chattels, to the full value they have received. And at this day the aforesaid persons have in their hands the particular Sums aforesaid; which they still with hold from his Highness, most of them contrary to their Trust, being the Parliaments and his Highness' servants, and receiving their Salaries, and Wages of the Parliament and his Highness, for their Attendance in the Excise Office, Custome-hous, Drury-hous, Goldsmiths-hall, Treasurers for the monthly Taxes, and Treasurers for several other Assessments, moneys collected for several charitable uses, for Redemption of Slaves from Argier, Tunis, Tripoli, etc. Commissioners for sale of all Prize goods &c. who all have had great Fees and Salaries, and therefore ought by the Law to make a true and just Account upon Oath. And every of them have got the Public moneys, and by that means have unduly enriched themselves with great and vast Possessions in Lands and Treasure: And they withhold to this day the just Rights and Deuce which appertain to his Highness and the Commonwealth. And (in regard there is a Fifth part to the first Discoverer, that shall make it appear, by sufficient proof, that any have moneys, Lands, Houses, Goods and Merchandise, or any other thing of Value in their hands appertaining to the State,) Thereupon I put in my Claim, and Charge all the aforesaid persons, to have in 
Several Commissioners at Drury-hous have by undue Practices, contrary to their Trust, damnified and defrauded his Highness of above Sixty thousand Pounds. The several Commissioners names, the particular Sums, and the particular Charges I humbly crave leave to have liberty hereafter to insert, referring myself to my 9th Query I herewith presented to the Commissioners at Worcester-hous.  their Custodies the aforesaid moneys, Lands, houses, goods, and Merchandise, to the values aforesaid; and desire of your Honours, that I may be admitted to make my Proofs against such of the said persons as I do, and shall desire to charge; and that I may have a view and inspection into all such Books and papers which are conducing to the making of every particular Charge; and to examine witnesses, upon Oath, thereupon: And that all persons which stand in Contempt may by your warrant be Attached.  
My humble desire is, That these Discoveries be Registered, and the day when I delivered the same: and this Charge, with my several Queries annexed. I desire also, they may be kept at Worcester-hous, as a Record, to manifest the true grounds and reasons, why I deliver in this Charge.   
26. May. 1656. Your humble Servant THO. VIOLET.   

May it pleas your Highness,  
THe High Court of Parliament being shortly after summoned by Your Highness, I did thereupon forbear, for a time, to proceed further in this Business, with the Commissioners at Worcester-hous; being resolved (by the assistance of God) humbly to present these humble Propositions (with some additions) unto your Highness, and that Supreme Court, the Parliament; desiring of God, so to direct me in this Business; that, what I most humbly propound may be for the glory of God, and good of the Nation; and that my Labours in this Business may be accepted of by your Highness, and the Parliament, as proceeding from an humble, loyal, and true English Heart.  
May it pleas your Highness,  
I Do most humbly offer to your Highness and the Parliament these further most humble Proposals for your Highness and the Commonwealth's service; which I most humbly present on my knees at your Highness' and the Parliaments feet; and do likewise humbly pray, that these my most humble Proposals may be confirmed by an Act of this Parliament, with such alterations and additions as shall be conceived by your Highness and the Parliament most for the honour of God and the benefit of the good people of this Nation, by easing them in their Taxes, and calling to account the Commonwealth's Debtors.  
1. According to the Statute of Rutland, made May 24. in the tenth year of the Reign of King Edw. 1. Anno Dom. 1282. touching the Recovery of the King's Debts; And the Statute of 6. Hen. 4. cap. 3. made against the frauds and deceits of divers Sheriffs, Escheators, Aulnagers, Customers, Comptrollers and others, in these words following; viz. Item, Whereas divers Sheriffs, Escheators, Aulnagers, Customers, Comptrollers, and other the King's Officers, accountable, in many parts of the Realm, do fraud and deceive our said Lord the King yearly in their unlawful and untrue accounts, concealing and retaining to their own use the greater part of that which rightfully ought to appertain to the King, to his great damage and loss. Out said Lord the King (by the Advice and Assent aforesaid) hath ordained, That presently after every final account given and made by the Officers and Customers aforesaid, before the Barons of the Exchequer of our Lord the King: The tenor of the Account of every the said Officers from time to time shall be sent into the Counties where the same Accomptants be Officers, together with Commissions directed to the most lawful and discreet persons, to inquire and certify the profits which the said Accomptants have received within the said Counties, in the name and to the use of our said Lord the King by them in the manner aforesaid upon their said Accounts, or deceitfully concealed and received to their proper use and profit. And in case that the said Accomptants be attained of their said fiauds and deceits, they shall incur to our Lord the King the penalty of the Triple of the same whereof they shall be so convict, and their Bodies to Prison, until they have made fine and ransom to our said Lord the King, according to the discretion of his Judges.  
These excellent Laws to be put in execution, for the strict and just taking up all the Accounts of Sequestrators, Treasurers, Collectors, Committee-men, Excize men, and Collectors of Customs, Surveyors, who have returned falls surveys, and then bought the Lands according to the value of their fraudulent surveys, or received Bribes for making these fraudulent surveys for some particular persons profit; these (I humbly say) being strictly examined, will bring your Highness in many hundred thousand pounds.   

Here followeth many Laws of excellent use for the furthering of this business of calling the Accomptants of the Nation to a just account.  
THe Statute of 33. Hen. 8. cap. 39 Provides, that all Bonds and Specialties made to the King, shall be in the nature of a Statute of the staple; and also all Process, Judgements, Executions, etc.  
That the King, his Heirs and Successors shall not be debarred or delayed his just debts and duties against any as heir or hei●s to any person indebted to him, albeit the word heir be not comprised in the Cognizance, Obligation or Specialty.  
That the King in all his Suits for Debts shall recover his Costs and Damages.  
That the King's Suits shall be preferred, and his Debt first paid and satisfied. Magna Charta cap. 18.  
That Lands entailed shall be liable to the payment of the King's Debts, And the King may recover his Debt against the Executor of his Creditor.  
How the King's Debt shall be levied, when his Debtors Lands shall come to several men's hands and possessions.  
The Statute of 7. Edw. 6. cap▪ 1. Provides several Penalties and Forfeitures to be inflicted upon all Officers and Accomptants that shall conceal any Duty, and not pay the same in due time; And that Officers and Accomptants shall (upon notice) delcare what money they have received and not accounted for, and upon commandment make payment of the same within ten days next, after notice, upon pain or forfeiture of loss of their Offices.  
The Statute of 34. Hen. 8. cap. 2. sets down the Forfeitures of High Collectors and general Receivers of Fifteen and Subsidies, and all other Loans and Taxes, that do not pay the money by them received to the King's use to such person and at such time as he shall be appointed; And that the King shall at his pleasure charge the said Collector or Receiver, and their Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, 
A Proclamation from his Highness, to require all Accompatants to deliver in a perfect account upon their oaths of their Receipts and Payments within a certain time, or else to suffer the penalty of the Law; and select persons to be nominated to inspect these Accounts, and by what Orders all moneys were paid.  with four shillings the pound for every month the said moneys shall be laid out by them for profit, but detained and not paid within three month's next after the receipt.  
The Statutes of 13. Eliz. cap. 4. and 27. Eliz. cap. 3 Provides, that Treasurers, Receivers, and Accomptants Lands shall be liable for the payment of their Debts to the Queen, her Heirs and Successors; And that the Queen, her Heirs and Successors may sell and dispose of their lands, etc. and against whom the same sale shall be good; and how the Queen, her Heirs and Successors may use the lands of the Treasurers, Receivers and Accomptants indebted, which he or they hath or have purchased in the names of other persons, etc.  
The Statute of 1●. Eliz cap. 7. Provides, that the Statute of 13. Eliz. cap. 4. shall extend to under-Collectors, Receivers and Accomptants of Tenths and Subsidies of the Clergy, to make their lands, goods, etc. liable for satisfying of such moneys as they have collected and received, and not paid and accounted.  
And that every such under-Collector and Receiver shall account in the Exchequer for his Receipt, as other Collectors and Receivers do.  
The Statutes of 52 Hen. 3. cap 23. and 13 Edw. 1. cap. 11. Provides, that all Accomptants that do withraw themselves, and have no Lands, etc. whereby they may be distrained, Then their bodies to be attached and imprisoned, and caused to make their Accounts.  
And the punishment of the Sheriff or Goaler that letteth an Accountant Committed escape.   

May it pleas your Highness;  
AT the beginning of our late troubles, some men (having designed unto themselves to make themselves great in the midst of the common Calamities, and to fish in troubled waters) disturbed the most excellent course of the Exchequer; and (to compass their fraudulent designs which they had craftily laid) erected Private Treasuries, as Goldsmith's hall, Gourney house, Worcester house, Haberdashershall, Weavers hall, Drury house, Custom house, Excise Office, Treasuries for the Public Plate of the Nation at Guild hall, and infinite other places throughout this Nation were erected, and petty Exchequers, where the public money was kept; and the public Accounts by that means interwooven one with another; and almost all of them managed by persons equally guilty, and excessively covetous, as well City Commissioners and Treasures, as Country Commissioners and Treasurers. So that ordinary Clarks and slight fellows being crept into employment, to finger the public moneys, some, by buying of the Goldsmith's light and clipped moneys, and then putting the said light and clipped moneys amongst the public Treasure. (It was observed by all that paid monies in to the Treasurers, that the Tellers would not receiv a clipped shilling, and when they paid it away for the State, their Payments were full of clipped money, which clipped money they bought of Goldsmiths, to the value of many score of thousand pounds, and this was twenty times culled over and over, and now they are fain to take it in the Country, or to receiv none: The clipped money was like a horse in a mill, it went round; the Treasurers would receive none, but bought it of the Goldsmith, the Goldsmiths would melt no clipped money they bought, but sell it to the Treasurers and Cashiers; this was paid to the Army, they paid it for their Quarters, the Farmer pays it to his Landlord, the Landlord brings it up to London and sells it to the Goldsmith at 15l, 20ls, 25l in the hundred loss, thinking it is melted, and he shall never more be tronbled with it: but the Goldsmith sells it, as aforesaid; and at my Gentleman's next quarter payment his money is paid him again: so that the Nation (by this trick) hath been mightily cheated by public Cashiers: and they have many of them gotten great Estates, some Five thousand, some Ten thousand, some Fifteen thousand, some Twenty thousand, some Thirty thousand, some Forty thousand Pounds apiece: And if these petty Varlets, which were but servants and underlings, have gotten such  and great Estates by their crafty and fraudulent actions, being but young sucklings, in comparison of many of the great Treasurers their masters; what have these great Treasurers then gotten, whose ravening paunches have devoured the wealth and substance of the Nation.  
May it please your Highness, I could name them by scores, but that I forbear at present, till Justice do personally single them out; for in every County, City, Corporation, and almost in every Parish in England and Wales, there is very few Parishes in the Nation without some of these Unjust Stewards, Committee-men, Sequestrators, and Treasurers. I most humbly beseech Almighty God, to put it into Your Highness 's and the Parliaments hearts, to say particularly to every unjust Treasurer, Committee-man, Sequestrator, Excise-man, Commissioner of the Customs, Commissioner and Trustee for the Sale of Delinquents Estates, Treasurer for the public Plate, and every other person that shall be proved to have the public moneys in his hands, as was said to the unjust Steward in the Gospel, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy Stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer Steward.  
Your Highness and the Parliament may see, by the former recited Laws and Statutes, what care all former ages had to see the King's Debts and Rents duly paid and accounted for; and that no fraud should be put upon them, their Heirs or Successors.  
To prevent all frauds, most excellent Ways and Rules were settled in the Court of Exchequer, in all King's Reigns, by the great care of many Ages: And the Sages of the Law know, there was not a more exact method in the world, than the Court of Exchequer was, for the just accounting and paying the King's Dues.  
I have heard my Lord Cottington say in the Exchequer Chamber, That no Prince in Christendom had the like exact way, as the King of England had, by the course of the Exchequer, if the Rules set down by the Court be by the under-Officers duly executed: so that whatsoever sum comes in there, (be it a million of money) must be duly paid and accounted for, or else he could find it upon the foot of the account, if ever it came in charge into the Pipe.  
And if the course of the Exchequer had not been disturbed, and the payments of the public money thrust out of the old Channel, it had been impossible to have had so many Treasurers cousin the Commonwealth so grossly and shamefully as they have done.  
And in order and pursuance of calling all Accomptants to a just, true and strict Account, your Supplicant most humbly presents these ensuing Proposals to your Highness and the Parliaments view and consideration; and humbly prayeth, that the same may be put in strict execution, with such alterations and additions as your Highness and the Parliament shall conceive fittest for the good of the Nation in general, to ease the people of their Taxes. For, God defend that the generality of the people should contribute their moneys, and pay it to Treasurers that shall make themselves great (and their private posterities after them) out of what they have cozened and defrauded the Commonwealth of. Therefore I humbly petition your Highness and the Parliament,  
1. THat an Act of Parliament may be made, and a Proclamation thereupon go forth, commanding and requiring all Committee-men, Sequestrators, trusties for sale of Delinquents Estates, Commissioners of Excize, Commissioners of the Customs, Treasurers of the public Plate, and all other Treasurers, Receivers, Collectors, and all other Accomptants and persons whatsoever that have been employed to collect and receiv, and have collected and received any the public moneys, goods, chattels, plate, &c, or other things of value throughout England and Wales, ever since the beginning of the year 1642. shall within three month's next after the date of the said Act and Proclamation make up and deliver (according to the Laws and Statutes of this Nation made for Accomptants and Accounts) into the Exchequer (or other place your Highness shall appoint) their several just and true Accounts of what Monies, Goods, Chattels, Plate, etc. or other thing of value they or any for them have received; And how and by what warrant they have paid and delivered out the same: The same Account to be delivered in upon the particular oath of every such person Accountant, that the same is a just and true Account; And upon every particular account so made, to pay in the money remaining in his hands upon his said Account (if any there be) into the Exchequer, or other person and place your Highness shall appoint to receiv the same: And upon failer of bringing in their several and particular Accounts, according to the said Act and Proclamation, that then all such moneys, goods, chattels, and other things of value, which shall be found and proved (upon Inquisition) they have received for the Commonwealth, whereof they have not accounted for, shall be levied and taken upon their estates, and their persons imprisoned, until they have justly and truly accounted; And if any person or Accountant aforesaid shall be dead, than the Heir and Executor or Administrator of such person so dying, or being dead, shall duly account for the party so dying or being dead, according to the Laws and Statutes of this Nation.  
2. That an Act of Parliament may be made, and sent throughout England and Wales, to require and empower four of the next Justices of the Peace, or such other Commissioners your Highness shall appoint, to call a Jury in every Parish of substantial Freeholders', or other discreet honest men (either of the same Parish or Parishes next adjacent) and to call to their assistance all other discreet persons that can and will give them true information concerning any of the premises in charge: And the said Jury so impanelled, to make true Inquisition of all such neighbours and persons aforesaid, of these particular things following; viz.  
3 That the Jury be impowered to inquire and present all persons, men and women, and their degree and quality that have been sequestered, in each respective parish, within every County of this Nation, and the days of the month and year when this was done: Also, they are to inquire and present what stock of , Money, Plate, household stuff, etc. or other things of value, they had taken from them, and to set down the particular values thereof; Also to set down the values of the Houses, Lands and Tenements, Woods, etc. sequestered, and into whose hands the same came; And to set down the parcels and values distinctly, and the several time and times when this was done, and by whose order, warrants and directions, and who received the moneys.  
4. They are to inquire and present in every Parish what Committee-men and Sequestrators and Treasurers are in every Parish; their distinct names and qualities; who of them are dead, and who be their Heirs and Executors or Administrators; And if any Sequestrator, Treasurer or Committee-man be removed out of their ancient abiding places since 1642. to set down (to the best of their knowledge or information they can get) where every such Sequestrator, Committeeman and Treasurer doth live; in what County and place within this Nation, or elsewhere.  
5. They are to inquire in what Places of the County the Committee for Sequestrations did usually sit; and to certify the same: And, that diligent search be made for all Books of Orders of every particular Committee.  
That in every Parish twelv able and discreet persons, upon oath, shall make strict inquisition who received all Rents and Profits of all Lands and Houses of Delinquents in the said Parish, and how long every Delinquents lands were under Sequestration, before they were compounded for or sold; and to present all persons that shall be proved to have the public money in their hands, and what quantity: And this all Juries in every Parish shall swear to do (without favour or affection) and that some considerable penalty may be inflicted on such Juries or the Parties offending amongst them, that shall wilfully perjure themselves in wilful making false Returns, and in wilful concealing any frauds to the prejudice of the Commonwealth, through their connivance or wilfulness, when the Evidence for the State hath by good and legal witnesses sworn the fact positively and clearly; and yet the Jury will not make their Returns according to their Evidence, to set a penalty upon all Offenders of this nature.  
6. That the Prime Justices of the Peace of every County in England (or such other Commissioners your Highness shall appoint) may be authorized by your Highness and the Parliament to meet at the head City or Town of every County; and there they, or any six of them, shall take all the particular presentments of the several parishes, and send forth their Warrants to all Committee-men, their Clerks, Sequestrators, Surveyors, and others, to bring in all the Acts, Orders, Ordinances, Writings, etc. which impowered them to act as a Committee for the County, and impowered them to raise money and sequester Delinquents Estates (personal and real); and all the Orders, Warrants, and Proceed they made as Committee men: And to command all Clerks and other persons whatsoever, to bring in the said Papers, Books and Records, which hath been made at any meeting of the Committee, without any imbezelment or alteration; And the said Commissioners, or any six of them, to be impowered to give any Committee-man or their Clerks an Oath, to answer to all such Questions concerning any moneys, Lands, Goods, Chattels, or other things of value, etc. as hath come into their custody, and to examine them by what Order they paid the same, and how much money etc. remains in every Committee-mans' hands, and to return every man's Answer. And if any person refuse to deliver the Books and Writings of the Committee, or hath embezzled or defaced the same, every such person to be committed to prison without bail or mainprize, till his Highness and his Counsels further pleasure be known.  
7. The said Justices of peace and Commissioners aforesaid, or any six or more of them are to return their Certificates of all the frauds, abuses, failers of Trust, etc. And what persons they find upon the particular Presentmens' of every Parish that have the Commonwealths money, lands, goods, chattels, etc. in their hands, where the Justices find it positively to be proved, to certify it so; where they find it by circumstances, to certify the same to the best of their skill and knowledge, as they will answer their neglect to his Highness and his Counsel.  
8. The said Justices and Commissioners in every County to put up all these Papers, Records, Writings &c. which shall be Returned unto them from every Parish severally, and safely, without any imbezelment, in Trunks or Boxes sealed with their seals, with their Certificate how they in their Judgements find the whole Business, upon the Presentment of each Parish: And a Duplicate of that Presentment to be sent along with the Papers, Records, and Accounts in general. The same to be sent up to some public Place that shall be set down and nominated by your Highness, and there to be safely kept, without imbezelment, by faithful and trusty sworn persons, to be nominated and appointed for that Service; And also several persons of skill and ability (upon oath) to view and audite and inspect into all the said Books and Papers, Accounts and Writings concerning the premises; And to give your Highness and your Counsel an account (upon their oaths) concerning the premises, and how they find each several man's Account, without fear, favour or affection, (as they will answer it upon peril of their Estates and pain of Imprisonment.  
9 Where Counties are large, the Justices and Commissioners aforesaid to divide themselves into several divisions, and to take the several Presentments of Parishes; Provided, that (at the least) six Commissioners and Justices be at the taking up of the Returns of the Certificates of the Parishes, and every Parish to keep in their Vestry of their Parish Church safely a perfect Record of the Duplicate attested under the hands often of the ablest Freeholders', or others, with the Minister and Churchwardens hands, also the day and year they made their Return, and the Justice's names, and place where and to whom they delivered it: And this to be done, upon a strict penalty.  
10. That whereas there hath been several monthly taxes and voluntary contributions for many years, viz. ever since the year 1642. taxed and gathered upon the Counties, Cities, and Borroughs within England and Wales: That diligent Enquiry be made by the Justices of the peace, and Commissioners of each County, of those that have Assessed the said Monthly Taxes within the Cities, Borroughs, and Parishes of each respective County. And that all the sums of money received by Order of Parliament or his Highness, and the Transactions thereupon for each respective Parish and County be particularly set down the just Sums, what was Rated at every one of the Quarter-Sessions, or other meetings, when they made their Bills and Books of Rates and Assessments, and the several Sums they laid upon every Hundred or Parish within every respective County. That they present in writing the gross Accounts of every Book of Rates and Assessments since the year 1642; and what Commissioners signed those Books of Rates, and who were made Petty Collectors for each Parish and Hundred for every respective year, and the several Sums rated. This to be done for every particular Tax which was Rated: and who was made the Chief Collectors and Treasurers of each County. And to set down to what Treasurers at London the Country Treasurers of each County paid their Taxes which they levied of each respective County; or, if they paid the money in the Country by Order of the Committee, to produce their Original Orders and Warrants; and those Warrants and Orders to be transmitted up to such persons as your Highness shall appoint, to be examined of the legality of these Orders: And all these Original Assessments made ever since 1642 to be transmitted up to London, to such place or places, person or persons, as your Highness shall appoint.  
11. To make strict enquiry what Voluntary Contributions, Sum or Sums of money, Jewels, Plate, etc. have been in each respective County, City, Town, Corporate Seaports, and elsewhere contributed and given towards the maintenance of the late war in defence of the Parliament here in England, or for the relief of the Protestants in Ireland, and for the Redemption of Slaves at Argier, Tunis, Tripoli, and other places, and the Custom Books to be examined at every Port: And who have been by Act of Parliament or Order of any Committee impowered to receive any the abovesaid Premises.  
12. A convenient reward to be allowed out of the aforesaid Discoveries made for loss of time, charges, and pains taken and undergon by any of the persons that shall be so employed by the aforesaid Justices of peace, in each County.  
13. To appoint sworn Officers and Auditors to Calculate and cast up what hath been levied since 1642. according to the Returns out of each County in the Nation: And what hath been duly and really paid, upon true and lawful Warrants. And a select Committee appointed to view and approve of these warrants: And, upon approbation, the Officers to allow it upon every Receivers account. And if that the Warrants be not approved of by the Commissioners of his Highness' Treasury, or others, to be appointed for that service, by his Highness and Counsel; Then the full Charge of every County shall be put at the foot of each man's Account that hath been a Receiver: And every Receivor's Estate and Person to lie liable, till he hath perfected his Account justly and truly in the Exchequer, according to the good known Laws of the Land.  
14. And if this course be strictly looked after and taken; Whosoever hath any of the Commonwealths money in his hands, it will be found out. For, if any Treasurer or Collector hath a Charge given him by the Country, City, Town, Corporation, or hundred, for the moneys he hath received, Every Receiver and Treasurer must discharge themselves by known legal Acquittances and Warrants from such as were legally impowered to give them; and from the day any Accountant of the Commonwealths money, till the time he shall have a just and legal Discharge upon a just and true Account, not a feigned, forged, or Averian Account; I most humbly say, Every Receivers and Accountants Body, Lands and Estate whatsoever, their Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, are all, and every one of them Liable, till they have justly Accounted, and gotten their Legal Quietus est. And this is the known Law of the Nation, and constantly hath in all ages been practised in the good old way of the Court of Exchequer at Westminster. The Whole Premises, upon my knees, I humble tender at Your Highness and the Parliaments feet, and implore your gracious and benign Acceptance of your Supplicant's loyal endeavour, for Your Highness and the Commonwealths Service.    

To His Highness OLIVER LORD PROTECTOR OF England, Scotland & Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging. The humble Petition of THOMAS VIOLET of London Goldsmith,  
Humbly showeth,  

THat great quantities of Plate, Bullion, and the heavy currant Silver Coins of this Nation, (as Shillings, Sixpences and Half-Crowns, and Five shilling pieces) have been formerly, and are at this day melted down, for the making of Gilt and Silver Thread and Wire Spangles, Oas, Pearl, etc. to the great waste of the Stock of this Nation.  
By which evil Practices many mischiefs and damages have been and are daily put on the Commonwealth, which ought strictly to be prevented, most especially in this conjuncture of time when we have Wars with Spain.  
That your Highness would be graciously pleased for the future, not to suffer either Refiner, Goldsmith, or Wyer-drawer to melt the Coin or Plate of the Nation, to make Gold or Silver Wyer or Thread, but that all Silver employed or spent in this manufacture be bought or contracted for beyond Seas, upon the produce and returns of Commodities; And that none of the Coin or Plate of the Nation be spent or wrought in this manufacture upon the severest penalties can be inflicted on the Offenders.  
That the late King and his Counsel in Anno 1635. taking into their consideration the great loss he sustained in his Customs, by suffering this manufacture to be in England, did cause a Duty to be imposed on Gold and Silver Wyer, which was made into Silver Thread, Spangles, Purls and Oas; the sum of Six pence the ounce Troy, (which is not two pence upon the ounce Venice) upon Gold and Silver thread, commonly so called; but it is truly gold and silver Silk, for the Silver is all spun on Silk. May it pleas your Highness, the Book of Rates in the Custom-house lays eight groats upon one pound Venice, which, upon account, is above six pence the ounce Troy in Wyer (as upon Examination before the Counsel of Trade your Petitioner shall make it clearly appear).  
That if your Highness do continue the making of gold and silver wire and thread here, That your Highness will be pleased to recommend it to the Committee for Trade, to take especial ca●e to prevent the frauds and damages now daily done and practised in this manufacture; And to make such Orders and Rules for the Trade, that there may be a thorough Reformation of false, sleight, and deceitful stuff, upon very strict penalties: And for the due execution of the same, the Committee of Trade to consider and settle such Officers, and their Fees for their pains, as they shall deem fitting, to prevent the bypast Abuses; And to report the same Regulation to your Highness and your Counsel for Confirmation.  
That if your Highness continue this manufacture here, That then as great an Excize be laid on it here, as is laid on the Custom and Impost of Gold and Silver thread, imported from Milan, Venice, or other Foreign parts: For the making of silver thread here, hinders the importation of so much Silver as would be brought in on that manufacture, which Silver will increase the stock of the Nation. And this manufacture being made here (as it is now made) without order or Rule both for fineness and weight of Silver, and without consideration had what your Highness and the Commonwealth loseth in the Customs, by suffering it to be made here, and the waste of the Coin, Plate and Bullion of the Nation, (without a due regulation of this manufacture) it is far better for the Commonwealth to have the making totally put down.  
May it pleas your Highness, Much may be alleged and pleaded for the making this manufacture here, so it may be justly made; as that it keeps and maintains a lively hood for many thousand persons and families in and about the City of London, which would perish, if this manufacture were put down. A just and strict regulation will be better for the Workmen and the Tradesmen (such as are honest, and would not adulterate their Lace, Ribbons, Spangles, etc. in this manufacture) And be greatly advantageous to the wearers, The Coin and Bullion of this Nation will be preserved, and your Highness' Revenue much increased, If the draught for the just and due regulation of the manufacture of Gold and Silver wire and thread (which your Petitioner herewith most humbly presents to you Highness) be put in due execution, with such alterations and additions as the Commit for Trade in their great wisdoms shall think fit for your Highness and the Commonwealth's Service.  
Your Petitioner humbly prays, That the premises may by your Highness be recommended to the Committee for Trade, and they Ordered,  
1. To consider, Whether it be fit (at this conjuncture of time) to continue the making of this manufacture here in England.  
2. If they conceive the manufacture still may be made here for the relief and employment of the Poor, That then the Committee of Trade be Ordered by your Highness to set down such Rules and Ways, as they in their Judgements shall think fit, to prevent all former Frauds and Abuses put upon the Coin of this Nation: And that as much Excize may be laid on the Silver Wyer and Thread, as is paid to your Highness and the Commonwealth in the Custom-house, if the Silver Thread were imported from beyond Seas into this Nation, Which will increase your Highness' Revenue some thousands of pounds yearly. And that your Petitioner may be Ordered by your Highness to attend the Committee for Trade with his draught for the regulation of this Manufacture: And (as in duty bound) your Petitioner shall pray, etc.  
THO. VIOLET.   

Whitehall, May 8. 1655.  
HIs Highness referreth this to the Consideration of the Committee and Counsel for Trade, to inquire into the particulars and certify their opinion.  
Nath. Bacon.  
May it pleas your Highness;  
THe late King Charles and his Privy Counsel would never suffer, that the silver courrant Coins or Plate of the Nation should be wasted in this Manufacture, for the making of gold or silver Thread: What the Refiners and Wyerdrawers did spend of the Plate and Coin, in these Manufactures, it was and is against the Laws of the Land: And by the very Monopoly that the King granted to Alderman Wollaston and Aldermam Gibbs, An. 1636. for to be his only Agents for refining one Hundred thousand pounds a year of Foreign Silver, for making this Manufacture; yet, in that Project of Gibbs and Wollaston they Covenant with the King, not to Refine or cause to be melted down any the Courrant Coin or Plate of the Nation; and that they should melt none but Foreign Bullion which shall be Imported for the making this aforesaid Manufacture; And many of the Privy Counsel than were for the total putting down of the making and wearing this Manufacture here in England, as causing an excessive Expense to all Sorts and Conditions of people, as being a Vanity that the Nation might well be without: But than it was considered by the King and his Counsel, the multitude of Women spinsters and other people that had their subsistence out of it; and, in that regard, the Manufacture was continued (but under strict Rules for the due Regulation, and that all the Workers should conform to the same, and they did promise an humble conformity:) and I Thomas Violet was appointed, under the Great Seal of England, to take the care and Charge of Sealing and Surveying all these Manufactures, to prevent the former cheating and Cosennage both of Wyerdrawers, Silkmen, and Refiners. The several frauds I clearly proved, under the hand of Mr Jackson, the sworn Assay-master of Goldsmith's hall; and I cut and defaced all sleight. course, and deceitful gold or silver Thread, Spangles, wire etc. which Office I did justly and faithfully execute for almost Five years, and prevented all former Abuses, and caused the workmen to work their silver for these Manufactures as exactly and justly as the Plate or Money of the Nation is made, during the time I regulated the Manufacture by my sealing of it. This I have proved, under the hand of many hundred Spinsters who petitioned for the Restoring me to my Office again.  
Your Petitioners most humble prayer to your Highness is, that the Honourable Committee for Trade, now having this Business under their examination, and (having the particulars in this Petitition in consideration) may be by your Highness ordered to make their Report, and to take care for the preservation of the Bullion and Coins of the Nation: And that all Silver made for this Manufacture be melted at a Public place, and Viewed, and Registered; that so none of the Coins or Plate of the Nation be melted down for any of these Manufactures: And to appoint such Officers as they shall conceiv may be fit for the regulating of all Abuses in the Manufacture, and for the best advantage of your Highness.  
The honourable Committee for Trade have given the wyerdrawers and Refiners several days for the propounding of ways for regulating of the said Trade, and to prevent the abuses bypast, and to preserve the Coin and treasure of the Nation. But (instead of that) the Wyerdrawers have presented the Draught of a Corporation to the Committee of Trade; which, if it should be granted unto them in that way they have presented the same, They would melt, and cause the Goldsmiths to melt for their use (in a few years) all the heavy Gold and Silver, Coin and Plate of this Nation. And indeed they are come to that confidence, that they think to cousin all people that wear Gold and Silver; And to get a Charter for the doing thereof, that so they may work Iniquity by a Law.   

May it pleas your Highness,  
THere was a Complaint made to the late King Charles and the Lords of his Privy Counsel, January 25. 1634. And an Information given by some of the Wardens of the Company of Goldsmiths, touching the detriment and damage which ariseth by the undue Practices of some Refiners and Gold-wyer-drawers of London, by melting the currant Coins and Bullion of the Nation: And several Depositions against the Refiners of London were presented to the King and his Counsel at Whitehall, of very high and heinous Crimes by some of the Wardens and Company of Goldsmiths; and no doubt but the Company of the Goldsmiths have the Copies of these Papers in their Hall. There-upon, Mr Attorney General Banks received a Command from the said King and Lords to prosecute the Statute of 4. Hen. 7th against such Refiners and Gold-wyer-drawers as he should find to be Offenders, and to see the Penalties might be recovered. And upon further examination of these most heinous Offences, an Information was put into the Starr-Chamber by the King's Attorney General Banks against Alderman Wollaston and Alderman Gibbs, for melting and procuring several Goldsmiths to cull and melt the currant Silver Coins of the Nation; And for the unlawful buying and refining of the said heavy currant English moneys, and for unlawful buying and refining Gold and Silver, and for several other Abuses practised by them, contrary to the Laws and Statutes of the Nation (as appeareth at large by the King's Attorney's Information in the Starr-Chamber against them.)  
Some of the Wyer-drawers of London, seeing the Wind blow at that Corner, to prevent the danger approaching on them, petition the said late King in the behalf of themselves and divers other Wyer-drawers of the City of London, the second of April 1635. In which Petition they set forth, that there are many Abuses daily practised and done in the said Trade of Gold and Silver-wyer-drawing, and the manufuctures thereof; and that their Trade was under no Government; That they desired his Majesty's most gracious care in suppressing the promiscuous use, by ordering them into a Government. Therefore they pray, That such as have served for the Trade, or such as they should deem fit to use the same; and one or two Refiners, that may refine Gold and Silver to be used in the Trade, may be made a Corporation with a non obstante of the Statute of 4. Hen. 7. or any other Statute or Proclamation.  
And that they may be Incorporated, and have two Wardens and twelve Assistants, and to have a fitting Officer for their Company and raising money for necessary Charges; And that no Gold or Silver thread may be put to sale, unless it be sealed with 
This Restraint ought now to be carefully looked after; and to make the melting down of Shillings, Sixpences, half Crowns, and five Shilling pieces, Felony; And strictly to forbid (upon severe Penalties) all Goldsmiths not to presume to be Cashiers and Receivers of Merchant's moneys, by which means they have formerly and do at this day cull and melt down the heavy English money. The Goldsmith's have (by buying and selling English Gold above the currant price) bought and sold all the Gold out of the Nation, to the unspeakable damage thereof. And now there is no other Remedy to get Gold back in the Nation, but by raising of it, as some would have it: shortly we shall have no Silver Coin left in the Nation, and then we must raise that to get back our Silver again: And by this means all settled Revenues and Landlords will lose so much in their estates as you raise Gold and Silver.  the Seal of the Company. And upon these Conditions they offered to pay his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors for ever One thousand pounds yearly, and (over and above) two pence the ounce for all Foreign Bullion that shall be used in their Trade: And humbly petition, That his Majesty would be pleased to publish his Proclamation, to forbid any to practise any the said Trades or Manufactures, or Drawing or Spinning of Gold or Silver Thread or Wire, other than such as should be Incorporated.  
Upon this Petition his Majesty granted this following Reference; viz.  
2 April, 1635.  
HIs Majesty referreth this Petition to Mr Attourny General, To take the same into consideration, together with the Earl of Holland's Petition, and certify his opinion.  
R. Freeman.  
This Petition I have ready to be produced.  
Sr John Banks attorney general certifies back to the late King, to this effect, viz. That he did not discern any inconvenience, that the Gold Wyerdrawers (who offer his Majesty, upon their voluntary Petition, One thousand pounds a year, and two pence for every ounce of Bullion which should be used by them) should be incorporated, for their better government, according to their Petition, so that they be tied to some certain Conditions, (amongst which) they were not to work any of the currant heavy Money of this Nation, nor any of the Plate of the Nation for any Manufacture of Gold or Silver Thread or Wire: they were not to use any Silver in their trade, but Foreign Bullion, and no more than yearlie should be imported by their means; and the Manufacture made according to the Standard or better.  
Hereupon the Refiners Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs etc. seeing themsellves exposed to the Law (by the information of some of the Wardens and Company of the Goldsmiths informing against them, and Mr attorney General Banks, by Order of the King and Lords prosecuting them in the Star Chamber, for high Crimes and Misdemeanours,) the Refiners viz. Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs etc. Petition the late King in An. 1635. for his grace and mercy; and making their humble Application to the then attorney general Banks, and Sir J. Cook Secretary of State, and to Sir William Beecher, and several others, whom they paid and gratified with great sums of money to get their pardons, I being privy thereunto, and desired and requested by them to use all my endeavours to keep Sir John Wolaston off from being indicted upon high Crimes and Offences, which Alderman Wolaston was charged with by Sir Henry Mildemay and some of the Wardens of the Company of Goldsmiths, which I did by Secretary Cook's power: and I did assist them to get their Pardons, and spent my money, and used all my endeavours and interest freely; And at the earnest entreaty of Alderman Gibbs, who with many tears besought me to do it for God's sake.  
I having a little before made my peace, and paid to the King two thousand Pounds for my pardon for Transporting Gold and Silver, and by that means being intimately acquainted with Sir John Cook then Principal Secretary of State, and Mr Attorney General Banks and Sir William Beecher Clark of the Counsel: I could, and did get, for Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs, great favour of them. I managed their business so amongst them, that the edge of Justice was blunted, and Sir Henry Mildemay's Commission revoked, and all his endeavours to undo Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs I disappointed by the power of the aforesaid persons. And I am confident they paid them well for it, for in those times there was nothing done by Court●ers, for Citizens, without money; and I am sure, I, in my particular found it so. But I never would accept or take of Alderman Wolaston or Alderman Gibbs (for my expenses and pains) one farthing, though they often times than offered me their pretended great acknowledgements: And this I do say is true, as I shall answer before God, I did it freely upon the account of Friendship I bore unto Alderman Gibbs. And how well and justly Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaston requited me for getting them their Pardons of the King, in 1636. the Common Counsel of London and many honourable members of Parliament know, and heard at a common Hall, in January 1643. when Alderman Wolaston (being Lord Major) and Alderman Gibbs were the chief Informers against me in Guild Hall, and incensed many honourable members of Parliament and the body of the City of London against me, as a malignant and vicious person; And this Alderman Gibbs did (by along wound Speech) openly at Guild Hall. And (some few days before) they abused and vilified me before a Committee of Parliament, at Goldsmith's Hall, and procured me to be sent to the Tower through their unjust Information. But God in his good time will find their iniquity out; for since, it hath been proved what Alderman Wolaston hath been to the Government, and that makes him uncapable to bear Office in the Commonwealth: How God will dispose of Alderman Gibbs this Parliament, that, time will present.  
And, what Service I have done to this Nation, I most humbly leave it to the considerations of all true English men. I saved the Nation (at one time) three hundreed Thousand Pounds, in the year 1652. A sum of money, more than all the Goldsmiths and Refiners are worth, put them all together. And in doing that service (I most humbly say) I clearly shown my Duty and Affection to this Nation; and shown, I was no Malignant. When Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs do so much for this Nation, I shall take them to be better men than now I do.  
After many day's Attendance of Alderman Wolaston, and Alderman Gibbs at the Counsel-table, and at the Attourny General Sr John Banke's Chamber, Upon condition that Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs 
Their Pardons under the Great Seal of Enland will show the offences they were guilty of, for men need not take a Pardon, if they be not guilty and faulty. I refer myself to the paticulars in their Pardons, what offences they were pardoned of.  might have their Pardons under the Great Seal of England, for what offences and abuses (in their Trades) they had done contrary to the Laws of this Nation: and Mr attorney General (by order of the King and Counsel) to stop his Proceed against them and the rest of the Refiners, both in the Exchequer and Starr-Chamber: The Refiners, Alderman Wolastone and Alder. Gibbs thereupon offer to pay his Majesty six pence the ounce for all Wire that should be disgrossed and spent in that Munufacture: And they drew in six other Refiners to be their fellow Partners and Monopolists; and to pay the Rent of a fair house, above one hundred and twenty Pounds a year; to pay Clarks wages, and other incident charges.  
And this Office they did execute several months (in the year 1635.) before the King would give Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs their pardons for their offences. And much ado than they had to get their Pardons: for when their pardons were at the Signet Office, Sir Henry Mildemay got the King to stop their pardons. And this Sir John Cook the Secretary of State told me, That Sir Henry Mildemay had presented to the late king, how grossly both Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaston had abused the Commonwealth, contrary to the Law, and how they had surprised the King in getting their Pardons, and that they deserved to be made exemplar. I am sure (according to the usual way of the Court) Alderman Wolaston and Alderman Gibbs could not remove such obstructions but with great sums, though the particular sums I never knew. And I was desired by Mr Secretry Cook, at oatland's on Sunday after Dinner, to go presently to London to Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaston (which accordingly I did) to let them know from him, their Pardons were stopped by the King, and that they should attend him about it; which accordingly Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaston the next morning did. I was well acquainted (for I had paid for it) what the meaning of such a message was, to be sent by me to Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaston: And I did believ that they had not come up to a full price, nor paid so much as was expected; and I knew that was the main stop of their Pardons.  
Upon this Offer of the Refiners, to pay the King six pence the ounce, (being as much again as the Gold-wyer-drawers had offered by their Petition) the Gold-wyer-drawers were laid aside with their Petition, and Propositions by the late King and his Counsel as inconsiderable persons.  
And the Refiners (Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston, by their craft) getting to be great with the Attorney General Banks, Secretary Cook, Sir William Beecher, and other Courtiers, got to be the only men to carry on this Project, for being the King's Agents to furnish One hundred thousand pounds a year for this manufacture. And the late King (to gratify the Refiners who had bid him so roundly) granted Alderman Wollaston and Alderman Gibbs their pardons under the great Seal of England (the rest of the Refiners being then but young men, were esteemed as rascal Deer, they had not wool on their Backs, nor had committed sins enough for to have their pardons under the great Seal of England; and so got dismissed by Order of the Lords of the Counsel in the Court of Starr-Chamber.  
And the King appoints the Refiners (viz. Alderman Wollaston, Alderman Gibbs, Henry Patrickson, Daniel Stalworthy, William Haward, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowell and Walter Hill) under the great Seal of England, to be called by the name of his Majesty's Agents, for the refining of One hundred thousand pounds' Gold and Silver a year for this Business; And they had not a bare title only of that name, for the late King allowed them to share with him, and to tax the People in their prizes, to sell their gilt silver Wyer two pence upon every ounce, and the silver Wyer one penny upon every ounce more than divers Goldsmiths of London offered to sell the Wyer-drawers. And this was offered several times by Captain Williams (the late King's Goldsmith) a man of a great and vast Estate, Mr Footer, Mr Symonds, and divers other able rich men; And good security offered to the late King's Commissioners, and at the Counsel Table at Whitehall, for the performing of Covenants: But this would not be granted by the late King or his Counsel.  
And this gave the great Offence in Parliament, 16●0. it being found by the Parliament upon Examination, that so great and numerous a company as the Company of Goldsmiths and Gold-wyer-drawers are, should be debarred so great a branch in their Trade as this is; For it will be justified, and credibly demonstrated to your Highness and the Parliament, that these aforesaid eight Refiners (whereof Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston had one half of the Trade and stock, as appears by the Monopoly) got more for their own particular profit, by monopolising to themselves the sale of all Gold and Silver Wyer for this Manufacture, being one hundred thousand pounds a year, than all the Goldsmiths in London, which are many hundred families, did get at that time by selling all the new Plate in London; (And, I am confident, all knowing Goldsmiths will calculate it so;) which was and is the principal part of the Goldsmith's Trade.  
The Duty reserved to the King in lieu of his Customs, was nothing so odious to the Wyer-drawers (in comparison) as the Refiners Monopoly was. The Wyer-drawers constantly affirmed to the King and his Counsel, and to the King's Commissioners, that the Refiners Monopoly was contrary to Law; and upon a dispute at the Counsel Table, the King called the Refiners (Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston) his Sheep, and the Wyerdrawers he called his Goats; (but in the conclusion both these Refining Aldermen proved the King's Majesty's Sheep biters:) And the late King pressed the Wyer-drawers at his Counsel Table to conform themselves to the Regulation; but some of the Wyer-drawers told the said King, They would submit to the Law, but not to the Refiners Monopoly; and that it was against the Law, that Freemen of the City of London should be restrained a Free Market, to enrich private men, and to make them Aldermen. Besides, the Gold-wyer-drawers were compelled upon great penalties (as appears by their Bonds) to buy no Silver wire for their manufacture, but of the said Alderman Wallaston, Alderman Gibbs, and the other six Pat●ntees joined with them; and oftentimes the Refiners (Gibbs and Wollaston) pressed the Commissioners to cause searches; and complaining they were at great charges paying Clerks wages and Hous-rent; and therefore desired searches and seizures of such Wyer-drawers silver which did not buy of them: And they forced all persons to pay them two pence the ounce for all gilt wire, and a penny the ounce for all silver wire more than they ought or needed to have done, had the Wyer-drawers been permitted to have had a free market. And the Goldwyerdrawers paid this for divers years together, as is well known to many hundred persons in London.  
Hereupon, the Wyer-drawers petitioned against this Monopoly of Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston to the Parliament in 1640. and therein set forth that this Monopoly was contrary to the Common Law, and against the Statute of 21. Jac. concerning Monopolies; and contrary to the Liberties of the City of London; And that this monopoly was for the excessive profit of the Refiners, for that they could buy their silver at a month's time 3 pence an ounce cheaper; then they were forced to pay the Refiners ready money: And this was affirmed in Parliament by Thomas Joles, Robert Patrickson, Laurence whaley, Nathanaenl Seabourn, and several other Gold-wyer-drawers.  
Upon Examination of this Business by the Parliament, the Patentees (Alderman Wollaston Alderman Gibbs, &c) were commanded to bring into the House their Monopoly, and then the Wyer-drawers got quite free from it by Parliament.  
The Refiners (Alderman Wollaston and Alderman Gibbs) to avoid the punishment which might justly have been imposed on them by the Parliament, according to the Statute of 21. Jac. cap. 3. concerning Monopolies. When they saw they could hold their Monopoly no longer, and that the Parliament was called, they petition to have their Patent of agency dissolved, as if it had been put on them by force and against their wills, alleging, That they were sued in the Starr-Chamber; and that (to avoid a sentence there, being terrified by the example of the Soap-boilers and the Vintners) they accepted of being his Majesty's Agents.  
When the truth was, they accepted of being the King's Agents for the sole refining and vending of One hundred thousand pounds' silver a year for this Manufacture, out of a covetous desire to enrich themselves, and unjustly did exclude all Goldsmiths and Wyer-drawers that had served their time to the Trade; and by their undertaking this Monopoly, they got their Pardons under the great Seal of England for many great, as may appear upon view of their Pardons.  
That they were sued in the Starr-Chamber, it is very true: For such Crimes, that had the Cause proceeded, and witnesses then been examined, and the Court given Judgement against them, they had been both undone.  
To my knowledge, this was their chief Plea in Parliament; and so they fling dirt in the King's face (for his mercy towards them) by their Petition which they presented to the House.  
Though before the Parliament, they would neither let Goldsmiths nor the Wyer-drawers to have a free market; but stiffly insisted on it, ever when it came to a dispute, That the Refining and preparing Gold and Silver wire, did absolutely belong to the Refiners; and so excluded the Goldsmiths of London: And by their Monopoly excluded all other persons from the Trade, but only eight persons (the King's Agents and Pattentees. These Agents laid out of their own purses Two hundred eighty and two pounds three shillings for repairing the Office; which they gave me a Bill of under their own hands; and desired me to move Secretary Cook to get the King to allow it them. I did so; but the King returned them answer, That if it had cost them ten times as much, he would not allow one penny; for he had Ordered Alderman Wollaston and Alderman Gibbs to have their Pardon, and that in that he had given them Ten thousand pounds. I have the Original Bill by me.  
Several times this Monopoly of the Refiners was opposed, and argued oftentimes at the Counsel Table, and before the King; Commissioners in Little Britain, and at Mr attorney General Banks Chamber (both before Alderman Wollaston and Ald. Gibbs got their Monopoly, and after they had their Patent) some of the Wire drawers and some of the Goldsmiths and Silkmen (chief Sir George Binion a Silkman, for the Silkmen; and the Wardens of the Company of Goldsmiths, for the Goldsmiths; and all the chief Wyer-drawers, in behalf of themselves and their Fellow Wyer-drawers) opposing Sir John Wollaston and Alderman Gibbs Monopoly, and desiring to have a free market to buy their Silver. But the Refiners still made such potent friends, (no doubt their Gold flew plentifully amongst the Courtiers, or else they could not have carried it) that neither Wyer-drawers nor Goldsmiths could buy of them or sell either silver or wire for any the manufactures aforesaid; but all must be bought of Alderman Wollaston and Alderman Gibbs, and others the King's Agents and Pattentees, till 1640. that that the same was overthrown in Parliament.   

May it pleas your Highness;  
DUring the Prosecution and Contest of this business between the Goldsmiths, Gold Wyerdrawers, Refiners, and Silkmen, about the frauds and abuses committed in their Trades, (each man putting it of from one to another.) The King and Lords of the Counsel cast about, How to be truly informed of all these abuses, and to search into the bottom of all this Knavery and Cheating: Several ways were propounded. At last, the Lords of the Counsel Ordered a private Search and Inspection into all Silkmens' and Gold Wyerdrawers shops: And afterwards, the King and Lords impowered me Thomas Violet, under the Great Seal, to make these Searches frequently, to prevent srauds in Wy●rdrawers and silkmens' shops, and in any other places where I conceived slight and bad Silver and Gold Thread and Wire was, and to seize the same, and if I found it bad to deface it, and to certify their names to the King's Counsel or the Attorney General.  
And the Lords of the Counsel, at that time, Ordered Sir Henry Mldemay to send several persons to buy small parcels of Gold and Silver Wyer and Thread, Spangles Purls, Oas etc. in almost all the Silkmens' and Wyerdrawers shops in and about London. That so they might be truly informed, upon an Assay by the sworn Assay-master at Golsmiths' Hall Mr Alexander Jackson, what manner of gold and silver Wyer and Thread, Spangles, O's, and Pearl; (and the Standard of the Silver) was made and vented for good silver. I do verily believ, There was never a fuller or clearer Discovery of Frauds and Cheat in the world, than was discovered at that time:  
For Mr Jackson the Assay-master of Goldsmith's Hall hath Reported every particular Assay by itself, and Master Humphrey Worthington, Mr Thomas Johnson, and Mr Leonard Welsted have set down the days of the month and the year, the Silkmen and Wyerdrawers shops, and their names, where they bought this course adulterate Silver Thread and Spangles, and that they bought it and paid for good silver, I have both the original Certificates ready to be produced.  
The Title of the several Assays is, Trials made by me Alexander Jackson (sworn Assay-master of the Right Worshipful the Company of Goldsmiths, for his Majesty's service) of certain Quills of gold and silver Thread, Spangles, Plait, and Wire for and by the appointment of the Right Worshipful Sir Henry Mildemay Knight, as followeth, being first burnt and melted, and assayed, brought by Sir Henry Mildmay the 9th of July, 1635. to Goldsmiths Hall. The King's Standard for Starling silver is Eleven ounces Two penny weight Fine upon the pound. The Assays follow, viz.  
The particular Original Reports I have ready to produce to the Counsel of Trade, wherein they will see the great Cheats put upon the Nation by some Refiners, Wyerdrawers, and Silkmen.  
At the bottom of the original paper, this follows, viz.  
These are the several Assays of the silver Spangles, plaited Wyer, and silver Thread, made and Reported by me Alexander Jackson; They being all under Starling and against the Laws of the Kingdom. Some part of these Assays I made by the appointment of Sir Henry Mildemay Knight, in the year 1635; and some part of which falsified and defective silver Thread, flatted Wyer, and Spangles were brought to me by Mr Tho Violet, in the year 1638.  
By me ALEXANDER JACKSON the sworn Assay-master to the worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London.  
By Order of the Lords of the Counsel I Tho. Violet paid Mr Jackson Five pounds for this Service.  
And this silver Thread, Wyer, Spangles, etc. was one hundred and odd several parcels made, contrary to the oath of every Goldsmith, Wyerdrawer, and Refiner, when they are made free at Goldsmiths Hall. I humbly leave it to be considered on, whether this manufacture ought not strictly to be looked after and duly regulated, when neither Oaths nor bonds will keep them to work good ●●lver.  
For executing of my Office justly and strictly, to hold the Refiners and Wyerdrawers to a Rule, to make all their wire and thread of good silver, and punishing the Offenders, many of them I brought to Justice. And I shown the King how he was cozened in the Mint of Three thousand Pounds a year (which caused Alderman Wollaston secretly to hate me mortally) And he caused me to be clapped up (by his incensing some members of Parliament against me) in the Tower, in Januarie 1643. when he was Lord Major of London. And the Parliament kept me close prisoner there Nine hundred twenty eight days; and Fourteen Months more, in which I had liberty to go at large in the Tower; upon the pretence I was a Malignant, when the truth was, Alderman Wollaston vented but his private malice against me.  
Upon this occasion viz. Alderman Wollaston having put up to the Parliament in the year 1640, a Petition, slighting the King's mercy and goodness towards him, in giving him his Pardon; when I saw Alderman Wollaston's carriage in that Petition he presented to the Parliament, I then told the King, in the year 1640. that Alderman Wollaston joining with some of the Officers of his Mint had made a fraudulent agreement to melt all the silver in the Mint, which was to make moneys; and he to have from the King the allowance of 16 grains upon the pound Troy, which is 2 pence the pound weight Troy, for all the silver he melted in the Mint. This agreement was made without either the King's or the Lords of the Counsels knowledge or approbation, nor was there any allowance or power under the Great Seal of England for him to receive these fees, or the Officers of the Mint to grant them to him.  
By which fraudulent bargain, the King was defrauded of near upon three thousand pounds a year, from the year 1630. to the year 1640. And Alderman Wollaston put up all this money in his own particular purse, the King nor Lords never knowing any thing of this blind bargain.  
Alderman Wollastons place in the Tower being so inconsiderable in the eye of the State, and in the reputation of the world (the melter of the mint being but the Master workers servant) that Alderman Wollaston never had a Patent for it under the Great Seal, whereas the Master worker of the Mint hath a Patent; the Warden, the Assaie-master, the master of the Irons, the Engraver, the controller, the Teller, and several other Officers of the Mint, have all of them their several Patents under the Great Seal of England for their several places.  
Now Alderman Wollaston's place was worth every year to him more money than all the aforesaid Officers of the Mint, twice told; for every year he cleared near three thousand pounds a year, as I proved to the late King, and I can prove it to your Highness, the Parliament, and your Counsel, whensoever you pleas: and all the Officers Fees in the Mint did not amount to one thousand pounds a year. A strange fraudulent trick, that a servant (for in the Mint Alderman Wollaston was but the master workers of the mints servant) should get six times more than his master, and three times more than all the Officers in the mint: It was the profits of this Place raised him principally to be an Alderman.  
But this is no great wonder, when the masters of the mint (for many years) are and have been ignorant of the mysteries and perquisites of their places, to the great damage of the Nation in many particulars. In former times it was not so; Goldsmiths and Artists were masters of the mint, that knew the course of Exchanges, and held Correspondence with Foreign Bankers and merchants: no Age can show (afore this) a Doctor of Physic master worker of the mint; and had not I stopped at one time three hundred thousand pounds of silver, the Irons in the mint would have been rusty. I caused more money to come to the mint at one time (1653) then hath been coined this seven year besides that money.  
Upon this my Information to the King, he presently sent for Mr Andrew Palmer, the Assay-master of the mint, and Mr Henry Cogan, the controller of the mint, and examined the business about Alderman Wollastons Place in the Tower, and commanded me to be by, and to declare before them what I had told his Majesty concerning Alderman Wollastons Place of melter in the mint. And when they heard what I said, they confessed it to be a truth, that Alderman Wollaston had in ten years (being esteemed but as a servant by the condition of his Place in the mint to the Head-Officers, the master Worker and Warden of the mint) gotten more by his melting of the Silver in the mint, than all the Officers of the mint (put them all together) had done.  
Whereupon the King was wonderful angry with them, (they being his Officers in the Mint,) that they would suffer such a thing, and not acquaint him or his Counsel with it; And asked, If my Lord Treasurer, or Lord Cottington, or the Lords of his Counsel allowed him to have such Fees and allowances, or knew that Wollaston made such Gains in the Mint, by being Melter of the Gold and Silver. They told his Majesty, No; they did believe none of them knew it, nor any others but the Officers of the Mint; for that it was a mystery and few did know it: Thereupon, the King swor● his Officers of his Mint must either be Knaves or Foo●s, to let such an one as Alderman Wollaston gull him of three thousand pounds a year, and to give such a Place of Profit to any, without his consent or the consent of his Privy Counsel, or any of his great Officers. And then the King solemnly protested. He would have an account & satisfaction for this Business; And that he would not allow Alderman Wollaston Thirty thousand pounds for that he could have done for One thousand pounds. This was about ten days before the King went from London, and had he ever came again in peace, (in my conscience) this business had been called to a strict account: and the King thereupon gave me Thomas Violet the place of Master of the Mint, and to have the fee of five hundred pounds a year, And that I should execute Alderman Wollastons place, of melter without any fee upon account of the Master's fee and no more: I was to melt the Gold and Silver upon oath, not to have any benefit but only my fee of five hundred pound a year, as master worker of the Mint: Alderman Wollaston came to hear of this business afterwards, (in all likelihood) by Mr. Palmer or Mr. Cogan, and this was the true cause of Sir John Wollastons getting me to be sent to the Tower, when he was Lord Mayor of London. One other chief reason of my sending to the Tower was; some Merchants of London and others (that had transported vast quantities of Gold and Silver out of the Nation, & had melted down many score thousand pounds of heavy currant English money, for gold and Silver wire and plate) finding that I was commanded by Mr Pym and Mr Hamden, and other honourable members of Parliament to attend the house, about passing an Act of Parliament in the house, to question all such as had transported Gold or Silver, without licence, (The order for my prosecution of this business against the Transporters of gold is in the Journal book of the Parliament, 18th of March 1640. As will thereby appear, and the several orders and transactions thereupon) Therefore the transporters of Gold and Silver, and the colours and melters of the heavy silver coin of the Nation, fearing if I was not clapped up in the Tower, or some other place, they should be questioned for their transporting Gold and Silver: These men cried me up in the City, and to the Parliament for a malignant, and incensed some worthy members of Parliament against me, that did not know these men's true reasons, nor the bottom of their malice; so I was sent to the Tower: But in the mean time, what mischief the Commonwealth hath gotten by not passing the Act against the transporting of Gold, which I was ordered by the Parliament, to prosecute, as appears by the Journals in Parliament, as I before said 18th of March 1640. The not passing this Act hath given an opportunity that all the Gold is sent out of the Nation, And now many propound the only remedy is to raise Gold (Not considering the great mischief and loss that attends raising Gold or Silver) The like mischief will suddenly fall by suffering Goldsmiths to be the public Cashiers, they by that means, cull and melt down the heavy moneys of the Nation, And when all is culled and melted down and transported, (as I have often times said) then there will be a proposition for the raising of Silver, to the unspeakable damage of all Landed Gentlemen, and the Nation in general will be impoverished so much as you raise Gold or Silver.  
This mischief hath come by suffering Goldsmiths to become exchangers of Gold and Silver and fortaign Coins, whereas that doth only Properly by the Law of the Nation belong to your Highness, And till an exchange be set up by your Highness, (and the Goldsmiths upon great penalties restrained only to their working of Plate and gold Rings and jewels and selling them,) It is a thing impossible to prevent the transporting of Gold and Silver, as I have formerly showed; which the Counsel for Trade will find upon examination to be true To which I humbly refer myself.   

May it pleas Your Highness!  
I Had at this day kept these Trade's Refiners, Gold-wyer-drawers, Silkmen, Weavers and Button-makers (for so much as concerns the Silver) in that good order, by my Office of Surveyer and Sealer, that no course Silver should be made or spent in these manufactures. And I humbly say, I doubt not but I shall receive thanks from this Parliament and the Counsel of Trade for my care, in discovering so many of these deceits and frauds in these Trades: As I shall particularly make appear before the Counsel of Trade upon examination of this Business, it will save the Nation and the wearers of Gold and Silver many thousand pounds a year. My true end of doing this is, that the Trade may be regulated, and my place of Surveyer and Sealer restored, and I authorized (as I was formerly) under the Great Seal of England to search, survey and seal all these manufactures, and to see them justly made, and to have such a just Fee as may support my expense, and in some reasonable proportion pay for my pains and hazard I undergo by warranting the manufacture of Gold and Silver thread, etc. to be all good to the Nation, and made according to the Standard. The wearers will have this benefit, they shall be secured of good Commodities, that doth last as long again as the greater part of the manufacture doth now; and when it returns to the melting-pot, it will make them, in some sorts of lace, as much again as it doth now; and it will save many thousand pounds a year which is brushed and rubbed away, if the silver thread be duly made with a due proportion of Silk, according to the just Rules as I settled formerly in my Office.  
There are several unlawful Engines, called Wheels, that twist the Silver on the Silk so slightly, that all those that wear Silver spun by these Wheels are merely deceived. The women Spinners (being some thousands) have from time to time complained of them, both at the Counsel Table and at the former Counsel of Trade, and the King's Commissioners by several Orders put down the Wheels. I most humbly desire, the women Spinners, may be heard at the Counsel of Trade, concerning that and other abuses in this manufacture. They will acquaint them, that whereas good Gold and Silver thread should hold six ounces of silver and three ounces of Silk ought to be the due proportion for the making Needle gold and silver, and five ounces of silver to three ounces of Silk, of the sleightest: now the manufacture is ordinarily made, for some sorts of silver thread six ounces silk to three ounces silver, and so the wearers are cozened half in half; besides, the silver lace is so slightly made (for many sorts thereof, being both course and adulterate, and so thinly covered that it loseth the colour) is bruised and rubbed off from the Silk, and little returns to the melting-pot: These particulars will clearly be proved (before the Counsel of Trade upon examination) by hundreds of witnesses when it comes to be examined; And it is a great Abuse put on the Nation.  
Here follow the principal Heads of the Refiners Monopoly.   

May it pleas your Highness;  
IN the month of May 1636. an Indenture was sealed between the late King on the one part, and Alderman John Wollaston and Alderman William Gibbs, Henry Patrickson, Daniel Stallworthy, William Howard, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowell, and Walter Hill of London, Refiners and parters of Gold and Silver, on the other part.  
1 That the late King did by his Proclamation, 18. Jan. 12. Car. declare his will and pleasure, to be for the time to come, that none of the Coins, or Plate of this kingdom should be spent in the making of Gold, or Silver thread, wire, purls, plate oas spangles etc. but of such Silver only as should be supplied from farrain Parts, by such persons as his Majesty should thereunto appoint.  
2 And that none of the currant Gold and Silver Coins of this Realm, should hereafter be molten down by any Refiner Goldsmith, or other person, And that all gold and silver whatsoever, which hereafter should be employed, used, or spent about this Manufacture, should be refined prepared and disgrossed, only by such persons, as his Majesty should assign in that behalf, And should be by them sold and delivered, (and by no other) to all and every persons which should work the same.  
3 And that his Majesty's Agents should take care upon the vending or sale of any Gold or Silver, to any person or persons whatsoever, for the uses aforesaid; that there be answered and paid to his Majesty's use, six pence an ounce Troy in wire, of all Silver sold, aswell toward the provision of Bullion from beyond Seas, as for recompense of such loss his Majesty sustained in his customs by the less importation of the premises.  
4 His Majesty having had experience of the Abilities, and Skill of the said John Wollaston, William Gibbs, Henry Patrickson, 
Here the Refiners in this Monopoly are called his Majesty's Agents. They ma●e such a bargain with the King, that Cap. Williams offered to furnish the silver 2000 l. a year cheaper (and to put in security of 10000 l for performance) than the said Monopolists did force the● Wyer-drawers, to pay: for all other Persons, but the King's Agents, were prohibited to sell silver for this Manufacture, as appears by their Indenture under the great Seal. This Monopoly is flat against the Letter of the Law 21. Jac. chap. 3.  Daniel Stallworthie, William Haward, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowell, and Walter Hill, (who, as his Majesty's Agents appointed by his majesty, hath since the aforesaid regulation, sold all the aforesaid Silver and Gold, for the aforesaid manufactures) And in further pursuance and execution of his majesties intention hath appointed constituted and made for him & his heirs and successors, and did by the said Indenture appoint constitute & make the aforesaid John Wollaston, William Gibbs, Henry Patrickson, Daniel Stallworthie, William Howard, Richard Gibbs, Thomas noel, and Walter Hill, and the survyvors of them, The Agents, of his Majesty his heirs and successors, for the furnishing, refining, dissgrossing and selling one Hundred Thousand Pounds, worth of Silver and Gold yearly, and every year, or yearly so much more thereof as shall or may be by them jointly vended, uttered, or sold, in the 
I beseech you Note, Alderman Wollaston, and Alderman Gibbs have 1● shares of 3● a full half of the Trade of all the Rest of the Refiners, who all of them had great houses, wives, and families to maintain: And they two, for their particular, sold their silver for above a thousand pound a year dearer than it was offered by several people to furnish the workers. And Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston had both of them their pardons for abuses practised by them in their Trades: so that this Monopoly did their work every way. but, had the Law been followed against them, for abuses done by them in their Trade, they had been undone.  making the Premises: which shall be divided into thirty two parts and shares; John Wollaston shall have the furnishing and selling of Eight parts of the Thirty two parts, William Gibbs shall have the providing and selling of other eight parts of the said Thirty two parts, Henry Patrickson of two parts and one quarter part of the said thirty two parts, Daniel stallworthie shall have the selling of three parts, and one quarter part of the Thirty two parts. William Haward shall have the ●efining and selling of two parts, and one quarter part. Richard Gibbs shall have the refining and selling of three parts of the said Thirty two parts. Thomas Nowell shall have the providing, refining, and selling of two parts and a quarter of the said Thirty two parts. And Walter Hill shall have the providing and furnishing, refining and selling three parts of the said Thirty two parts.  
I most humbly desire your Highness to be pleased to observe, Mr William Haward was formerly Mr Alderman Gibb's man, and one of the King Agents in this Monopoly with Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston. Mr William Haward was questioned by me, and proved to have counterfeited the currant Gold and Silver moneys of this Nation, and for making Gold and Silver Wyer with a core of Copper (which was one half Silver and one half Copper) which he made into Gold and Silver Wyer and Thread, and sold it for good Gold and Silver Wyer and Thread; and I caused him to be apprehended, and his tools seized on at Old Windsor, twenty miles from London: And afterwards I took him in Southwark, with one Morse a Refiner (as cunning a Rogue for counterfeiting of money as ever was of the Trade of Refiners); Mr Haward he had the common luck of the Refiners, for he had his pardon for his offences; viz. Coining of Money. An ordinary Crime with some Refiners.  
Mr William Morse (Mr William Hawards' man, another Refiner also) I took him with a Porter's load of Coining Irons in St Thomas the Apostle in Southwark; he was both Coining and making Silver (at one time) with a core of Copper, half Silver and half Copper, to make Gold and Silver Thread. I have the Assays under Mr jackson's hand, the sworn Assay-master of Goldsmiths-hall: And this Silver and Copper Wyer was made into Thread, and was usually sold for good Silver by Mr Morse, Mr Mantle, and Mr Rhodes: I took Mr Rhodes, Mr Clark and Mr Mantle (Wyer-drawers) making of Spangles above one third part Copper, mixed with the Silver, within the Rules of the King's Bench (they thought they had been safe there in a Prison, but my Officers I employed found them out). Likewise I took one Mr Gears, and caused him to be Indicted at the Session's House in the Old Bailie; (this was after I had found him working at the Old Ford, in Shoreditch, White Chapel, Goodman's Fields, and in other blind Places) and when I saw he would take no warning, I caused him to stand in the Pillory, for selling silver with a core of Copper for good Silver; I employed all the year four men in the four parts of the City and Suburbs to make these searches and seizures, and they were paid one hundred pound a year, during all the time I had the Office. This Gears made many thousand pounds of Gold and Silver thread, half Copper and half Silver, and sold it all for good Silver in London. I did also upon search seize upon several quantities of Silver Lace mixed with Copper, in Alderman Garwayes' Hands (which by several Wyer drawers and others was sold to Merchants that traded to Russia); and there it was found out and detected by the Russians, and sent back to England to the Governor of the Company (Alderman Garway) to have these Wyer-drawers in London found out and punished, that had dishonoured the Nation in making Gold and Silver lace mixed with Copper, and selling it to Russia Merchants for good silver. This Lace was one Mr Sand's lace (Sir George Sand's brother) who was deceived in it. I made Twenty men run away about this Business.  
There have been within this few years several other Refiners and Goldsmiths indicted at the Session's House in the Old Bailie for counterfeiting gold and silver; (the Coins of the Nation) who have so craftily managed their business, that some of them have escaped hanging by miracle.  
If I have my Office established again, I wish them to forbore coming thither to the Old Bailie, any more for I know by what tricks they have deceived the Jury and the Court. These men and their fellows are angry with me▪ and would by no means have me to have the looking after the regulating of the Trade of gold and silver Wyer and Thread. And indeed they have reason; for (had I my Office again for Sealing and Surveying this Manufacture) I should spoil many a man's cozening Trade, which he daily now practiseth, in deceiving the Commonwealth by the deceitful making these Manufactures of silver Wyer and silver Thread etc. For I found out where Silkmen had sold to some of the Nobility and some Honourable persons silver lace mixed with Copper for good Silver. I caused the offenders to be prosecuted in the Star Chamber for it; and caused them to make it good to the parties wronged. In brief, for Five years I caused all the Gold and Silver that was spent in this manufacture to be duly and justly made: (The value yearly out of Silkmens' shops in London, when it was made into Lace and Ribbons, Spangles, O's &c amounted to above Two Hundred thousand pounds a year Starling, as I have calculated it by my Accounts; for it all passed my Seal and Survey, either by me or my Deputies, such as I was to answer to the Commonwealth for the true performance of their Places, and gave Security in the Exchequer for their just performance.) I caused all these manufactures to be made so justly and exactly as the Plate and money of the Nation.  
And though some that I caused to be punished for their cheating were and are angry with me, and got others to back them with complaints; by their petitioning to the Parliament in 1641. That I had caused some of them to be imprisoned, disturbed them in their Trades, and spoilt and defaced their Wire, Thread, and Spangles etc. and made searches and seizures in their shops and houses. Truly I confess this part of their petition was true, when I found their Silver was adulterated.  
This I did whilst I had my Office. And afterwards, for want of doing it, the Nation was Cozened, and at this day is Cozened (as I can show in one hundred and odd several parcels of course and adulterate Silver and gold Lace, Spangles, Pearl, O's and Wyer) All under the hand of Mr Alexander Jackson sworn Assay-master of Goldsmiths Hall.  
For the cheating Fellows of the City (let them be either Wyerdrawers, Silkmen, or Refiners) I dare swore (whether they be rich or poor) I gave them little reason to love me or wish me well; for I hindered them as much as I could: And I never knew a Thief love a Judge hearty. But there are honest men of these Trades, both Refiners and Goldwyerdrawers, and Workmen, which desire, I may have my place restored to me; and that wish, the abuses of their Trades and Manufactures may be redressed: For all honest workmen are undone for want of a regulation, and power to be settled on some select persons to punish, the offenders; And reduce their number, only to such as have served Apprentices to the trades, and to make the workers to conform themselves to such orders as your Highness and Parliament shall see best for the preventing the waste of the Coin, and Plate of the Nation. I have humbly presented a Model for a Regulation of the abuses to the counsel of Trade to which I humly refer.   

May it please your Highness,  
ALderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston, etc. were authorized in any part of the Realm of England and Dominion of Wales, by their Monopoly to prepare and fine One hundred thousand pounds in silver and gold yearly and every year; or somuch thereof as may yearly by them be jointly vended, uttered or sold, according to the Rates and Provisions aforesaid. To have and to hold the said powers, licences and authorities, and all and singular the premises unto them the said John Wollaston, William Gibbs, Henry Patrickson, Daniel Stallworthy, William Haward, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowell, and Walter Hill, during the term of seven years, from thence forth next ensuing fully to be completed and ended; And that without any account to be made for the same to his Majesty his Heirs or Successors.  
5. And they Covenant they will sell no silver or gold for these Manufactures, but to such persons that shall be admitted to work and be allowed to buy the same. And also that they shall and will pay the aforesaid Duties to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors, which was sixpence upon every ounce Troy of Silver spent in this Manufacture.  
6. They Covenant with the King, that they nor their servants shall not melt down or be consenting to the melting down of any the currant Coins of the King his Heirs or Successors, or the Plate of the Nation, for any the Manufactures aforesaid, except such only as shall arise and return off and from any gold and silver Thread, Lace, Purls, Oas, Spangles or Wire, or shall be imported from the parts beyond the Seas, and hath not been manufactured in this Nation.  
And all and singular these Grants, Powers, Licences and Authorities before given and granted, they shall lawfully use and 
Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Woll●ston bind their Monopoly to them as fast as they can; it must break through all former Laws for their private and particular profit; it must oppress Goldsmiths, Wyer-drawers, Silkmen, and all other Tradesmen whatsoëver it. Their Monopoly must go through thick and thin, though against the Law; no Act, Statute or Ordinance, Proclamation, Provision or Restriction formerly made whatsoëver, shall or can stop or contradict them; this was the pace and furious career of Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaston while they were the King's Agents in the King's time; but to save their skins (when the times altered) they could presently change their notes, put on sheepskins and would appear as Lambs; they would be full of godly expressions in Guildhall, Goldsmiths-hall, and many other places in the City, and be highly for the Covenant, and amongst their Brethren storm at the oppression of the Times, and at Projectors and Monopolizers (when there was none greater than themselves, as appears by this Monopoly). They have said at a common Hall in Guildhall (when I was sent to the Tower) that I was the Monopolist and Pattentee for this Manufacture, when truly I neither had heart or hand in it, nor any manner of wa●●s concerned in the buying or selling the silver Wyer for this Manufacture. If I would, I could not; for the aforesaid Indenture between the King, Gibbs and Wollaston sets forth, that only eight Refiners were the Pattentees, and none others.  enjoy, notwithstanding the Statute made in the fourth year of Hen. 7th cap. 2. and notwithstanding the Statute made in the 5th and 6th years of Edw. 6th cap. 19 entitled, The Penalty for Exchange of Gold and Silver. And notwithstanding the Statute of 18 Eliz. cap. 15. or any other Act, Statute, Law, Ordinance, Proclamation, Provision or restriction whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. And his Majesty for Him and his Heirs and Successors did will, ordain and declare, that during the continuance of this his Grant, his Majesty his Heirs and Successors will not give or grant any liberty, licence, or power, or authority to any person whatsoëver, other than unto such as have already served or shall hereafter serve as Apprentices wholly and only to the Art of Refining and parting Gold and Silver by the space of seven years (as the said John Wollaston, William Gibbs, and other the parties before named have done) to be made, expended and employed in or about the making gold or silver thread, or any the several Manufactures herein before mentioned.  
And the aforesaid persons every one for himself did covenant and promise to and with his Majesty his Heirs and Successors, that from time to time, during the term granted, to perform their best endeavours in and by all lawful ways and means for the promoting and advancing of his Majesty's benefit and service in the premises.  
And his Majesty, for him, his Heirs and Successors, during the term thereby granted, did Covenant to vouchsafe his and their assistance to the said Agents and the Survivors of them, for the better performance and discharging of the said agency, and all other the premises so by them undertaken, according to the tenor and true meaning of the said Grant: In witness whereof, to the one part of this Indenture remaining with the said Agents, Our Sovereign Lord the King hath caused the Great Seal of England to be put; And the other part remaining with his said Majesty, the said John Wollaston, William Gibbs, Henry Patrickson, Daniel Stallworthy, William Haward, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowell, and Walter H●ll have set their hands and Seals the day and year first above written, Anno Dom. 1636. Witness Ourselves at Westminster the 7th day of May, in the twelfth year of our Reign.  
I have the Copy of this Monopoly of the Refiners verbatim at large, sworn and attested; ready to be produced, if required.   

May it pleas your Highness;  
THese are the chief Heads of the Monopoly granted by the late King Charles 1636. to Sir John Wollaston Alderman, and Alderman William Gibbs, and others, Refiners of the City of London.  
This monopoly was complained of to the late King and his Counsel by some of the Wardens and Company of the Goldsmiths in Anno 1636. and since oftentimes to the late King and his Commissioners, both by several Goldsmiths and Wyerdrawers (as being a great loss and abuse to the whole Company of Goldsmiths) in Annis 1637, 1638, and 1639, and is against the Statute of 21. Jac. cap. 3. and several other Acts of Parliament, and against the Common Law of the Land, and the Charter of the City of London.  
By this monopoly they engrossing into a few particular men's hands for their private lucre and gain (under the specious pretence of the King's service, which was the ordinary mask used by Pattentees and Monopolists of that time) the livelihood and subsistence of many hundred Goldsmiths and Wyerdrawers, which by the Charter of the Company of Goldsmiths ought not to have been debarred, and by the custom of the City of London were legally impowered to refine Silver and Gold, aswell as the said Refiners were.  
And though this was oftentimes offered, it was always denied and opposed by the Refiners, who had got this monopoly in their Iron clutches, and would not let go their hold, till their monopoly was put down by the Parliament, upon the Petition of the Gold-wyer-drawers, as aforesaid.  
I have left with the honourable Committee for Trade, (in Aug. 1656.) several humble Proposals for the just and due regulation of this Trade of Refining and Gold and Silver-wyer-drawing. If they be put in execution, the Manufacture will be again justly and truly made, the Coin and Bullion of the Nation preserved, and your Highness' Revenue augmented: But, as the Manufacture of Gold and Silver Thread, etc. is now made, the wearers thereof are many of them cozened, and the Coins and Plate of the Nation melted (to the great damage of the Nation) and every day new Cheats are invented, to deceive the Wearers by Wheels or Engines. Therefore I most humbly pray for either a due Regulation of Gold and Silver Thread and Wire, etc. or the making to be put down in England, especially at this time now we have a War with Spain, strictly to look that none of the Coins of the Nation, or Plate, be melted down for any of these Manufactures.  
8. That within these three months (in June last) Mr Alexander Jackson (the Assaie-master of Goldsmiths-hall) being desired to go to the Excize-Office, to make an assay of some Silver that was made into Wyer for this manufacture, seized on an Ingott of course Silver about 30l. which was thirteen penny weight worse than the Standard; And weekly (upon strict examination) it will be found that great quantities of course silver hath been made into these Manufactures. This Silver (as I am informed) belongs to a Refiner, and it is both contrary to the Law and a breach of his Oath to prepare any such Silver for any Manufacture.  
I have many Assays under Mr jackson's hand (the Assay-master of Goldsmiths-hall) where four ounces of Copper hath been mixed and put into eight ounces of Silver, and sold for good Silver (by some Silkmen and Wyer-drawers), to the intolerable deceit of the Wearers of gold and silver Lace.  
And whereas all persons should make gold and silver Thread to hold six ounces Silver to three ounces of Silk, it hath been ordinary, and at this day is made, to six ounces of Silk but three ounces of Silver; the Silk many times heavy died; the Wearers many of them are cozened, and their garments spoilt: And many other Cheats and frauds I could particularise.  
9 When I delivered an Account of these gross deceits to the King and Lords, and upon examination they finding these Abuses to be so frequent both amongst Refiners, Silkmen and Wyer-drawers; The King and Lords of his Council having often employed me in these Discoverics of the frauds of the Wyerdrawers, They ordered me Thoms Violet Anno 1635. to be Surveyer and Sealer of all these manufactures, for three lives, under the Great Seal of England; And to have and receiv to my own use One Halfpenny the Ounce for Wyer, and 4 Pence the pound Venice for all gold and silver Thread I Sealed and Surveyed: And prohibited all persons to put silver or gold Thread to Sale before it was warranted by the Seal of my Office, being the Rose and Crown.  
In consideration of this Fee aforesaid I Covenanted, and put in Security to the late King in the Exchequer; That if any gold or silver Thread, Spangles, Purls, O's, or Wyer should be Surveyed and Sealed, or passed out of my Office either by me or my Deputy, which was course or adulterate silver, under sterling, or not justly made; the Thread with a due proportion of silver, at the least five ounces silver to three ounces silk: I was bound, and am bound to this day, to answer and pay all Damages to any person grieved or wronged in the Nation, concerning the Premises. And neither the Wyerdrawers nor Silkmen could in Parliament produce one parcel of silver thread that I sealed in the Office, or that was sealed by my Officers, to be course silver, or under the Standard. And for five years I caused this Manufacture to be made so exactly as the money and Plate of the Nation is now made; and the best gold and silver Thread in the world.  
Without my Fees which were allowed me under the great Seal of England I could not be at the Charge of searching and Sealing; and without my Sealing and Surveying I cannot warrant this Manufacture of gold and silver Thread and Wire &c. to be good, and truly made, both for the fineness of the silver and a due proportion of silver to a due proportion of silk: and without this Regulation, every workman is left to do what he list, both for the fineness of the silver, and the due proportion of silver to silk. And at this day (for want of my Office) many frauds and deceits are put on the Nation and all them that wear this Manufacture, which I am bound to prevent, or make good the Damage to the Nation, or to any that shall be deceived: Which cannot be expected from me unless I receiv my Fee to defray my Charge and hazard I run in warranting all this Manufacture to be good, and justly made: And of the justice and Equity of this I conceiv there can be no dispute.   

May it pleas your Highness,  
NOw, at this day the Manufacture of gold and silver Thread, Wyer, Spangles, O's, etc. is under no Rule nor Regulation; either for the Fineness of the silver, or the just and due making the silver thread with a due Proportion of silver to a due proportion of true died silk; but it is left to every one to do what he lists, and to Cousin the Commonwealth; and to cull and melt down the Coins of the Nation: And if the Refiners can get but the Goldsmiths to melt down the heavy Coins as shillings, sixpences and halfcrowns, which they do at this day, and as they are wont to do ever when silver is above the price of the Mint; or when we have Wars with Spain, then generally silver is dearer than the Price of the Mint.  
The Refiners think themselves clear, and the Law cannot touch them if they buy heavy shillings and sixpences melted into Ingots: And by this way all the heavy currant silver moneys and Coin of this Nation is melted down. This heavy, English silver money (for the greater part) is called and weighed by Goldsmiths in , who keep people purposely to cull and weigh the heavy shillings and sixpences of this Nation, when silver is dear.  
May it pleas your Highness, We shall not have money to buy and sell, nor to hold Commerce, nor pay Rend or public Duties, if this mischief be not stopped.  
When I was an Apprentice, I delivered with mine own hands, for one Mr Eman's Account (who was my Master) to Alderm. Gibbs above thirty thousand Pounds of heavy shillings sixpences and halfcrowns, which he bought of my Master Mr Timothy Emans a Goldsmith in Lombard Street; The said Mr Emans then being a publiuqe Cashier for several Merchants, and receiving their money, and keeping their Cashes: by which means he culled, and caused to be culled and melted every year in heavy shillings and sixpences above Thirty thousand pounds a year, from the year 1624. to the year 1630 into Barrs or Ingots. And there was many Goldsmiths in Lombard street at that time, every of these years did melt as much heavy English money, and some of them more than Mr Emans did. And English silver was at that time so scarce, one could hardly get white money Anno 1629 for gold but now almost all the silver, and almost all the gold is gone, the silver melted down for gold and silver Lace: The gold almost all Transported, that in a payment of ten thousand pounds one shall not receiv Ten shillings in gold.  
Alderman Gibbs would never have these shillings, sixpences, and halfcrowns from Mr Eman in Kind, but the prope●●ie altered, and melted into Ingots; though he knew and bargained for English money by the name of Swarg, to be melted without fraud; being a common word amongst the Goldsmiths for heavy English money. Whereupon my Master commanded me to put in every Ingot so much Copper as the silver wasted, which was about a farthing the ounce: For Mr Eman selling the heavy shillings halfcrowns and sixpenses to other Refiners and Silversmiths in Kind without melting, would not bear the waste of melting Mr Gibbs 's English money into Ingots.  
But Alderman Gibbs finding my Master's Silver a farthing in five shillings courser then other Goldsmiths in Lombard Street Silver was, who melted down 
Mr Alderman Gibbs had a pair of Assay Balances in his closet, and when he questioned me about this Business, he weighed above sorry several Assays of my Master Eman's silver with the Standard Piece, and all of them fell out one penny weight short; and then he took about forty other Assays of one Mr Bradshaw's Silver (as he told me,) and Alderman Gibbs said to me, This is heavy English money in Ingots, which I have and do daily buy of Mr Bradshaw, and weigh your Master's Assays against his. So I did, and found my Master's Silver all one penny weight short of Mr Bradshaw's Silver. Thereupon Alderman Gibbs was very hot and angry with me, and told me, he was cozenned, for my Master had put Copper into his Silver, and made him pay for good heavy English money to be melted-without Copper; he pressing me very earnestly; I told him, I had done it for several years by my Master's order, and he must seek his remedy from my Master Eman; for I would show him my Master's Books every week where I had put the Copper down upon the Account, for my Master's Profit, and that I did believ, my Master had delivered him to the value of One Hundred and Forty Pounds in Copper, in his Ingots, for which he had paid my Master Eman for good silver.  their heavy English moneys. Mr Alderman Gibbs one day asked me seriously about it; I told him, my Master had given me order to put in so much Copper as would bear the waste of the silver; and that I did believ, I had put in and mixed as much Copper into his Ingots, by my Master's order and for his Profit, at several times, within Four years, for which Alderman Gibbs had paid for to my Master after the price of good Silver, as came to above One Hundred and Forty pounds' Starling.  
Whereupon Alderman Gibbs a few days after questioned my Master Emans about it, who did not deny it; and Alderman Gibbs threatened to Arrest him, and was in a great rage about it, that he should be so overreached and deceived: But my Master Mr Emans slighted the business, and in plain terms bid him do it if he durst; so that Alderman Gibbs there (for all his craft) was Cozened of one hundred and forty Pounds, Alderman Gibbs paying for good Silver when he received Copper mixed in every Ingot.  
The true reason wherefore Alderman Gibbs forbore to Arrest Mr Eman was, he durst not have done it if he had cozened him of ten times as much; for if Alderman Gibbs and Mr Eman had gone to Law about this matter, the whole business of both their unlawful actions in this Caus would have been made known to the world, and both Mr Eman and Mr Gibbs would have been undone. Mr Eman could have given Mr Gibbs satisfaction for this wrong well enough, if he had had a mind to have done it, for Mr Emans had then a better Estate than Alderman Gibbs, and both of them (by this act) had forfeited their Estates to the King, it being against the Laws of this Nation to melt the English currant Coins. This was done in the year 1629. And had I spoke but one word of this business to Sir Henry Mildemay or Mr Attorney General, or unto the late King Charles, (as I had oftentimes opportunity to have done it, being then employed by the late King in several businesses by his particular Command; which, had I done it before the said Alderman Gibbs had had his Pardon, Alderman Gibbs had been for ever spoiled for being an Alderman; he might have had a Jackline about his neck, sooner than a Gold Chain, Alderman Gibbs and Mr Eman having by this act forfeited all their Estates to the late King.  
These abuses are commonly practised both amongst the Refiners and Goldsmiths at this day, without any scruple of Conscience, or honesty, or fear of the Law; and (if not prevented) will undo and waste the stock of the Nation. If Culling and melting down of the hevie currant money be not prevented, the Nation in General will not have money to pay Rents, go to market, or pay Taxes: and this business to be neglected, without a strict Act of Parliament to discover the Offenders, will bring intolerable mischiefs.  
I have presented this Business many times to the long Parliament, who made many Orders and References for passing an Act against melting of the Currant Silver Coins of the Nation, and against the Transporting of Gold and Silver. But it was not finished.  
The humble Proposals of many hundred Spinners to the Counsel of Trade, for the Regulating of the Manufacture of Gold & Silver Thread within this Nation, formerly presented to the Counsel of Trade at Whitehall 1650. which set forth many of the Abuses in the present making Gold and Silver Thread, and they humbly desire a Regulation.  
1. THat all work in Gold and Silver Thread may be wrought by the hand-Spinner, and the Wheels totally suppressed.  
2. But if your Honours shall permit the Wheels to work superfine Gold and Silver Thread, that your Honours would tie them to their Numbers, and that they present unto your Honours the place of their abode, and that such Penalties be put on them, as to your Honours shall seem agreeable to Justice, if they work any other than superfine Thread.  
3. That no Silver be spun (either by the hand or wheels) but shall contain at least five ounces Silver on a pound Venice; and all Needle-gold and silver to hold six ounces gold and silver to nine ounces Thread, and so all fine silver: and by this Rule the Commonwealth shall not be cheated.  
4. That the names of all men and women admitted to make gold and silver Thread or Wire be kept in a Register, where they live, and all people that are admitted, to put in security to the State, not to work any of these Manufactures contrary to the Regulation agreed by your Honours.  
5. That a sworn Surveyer, that is no Trader in the Manufactures, may have the surveying and examining of all the Manufactures, and that he be required to look carefully thereunto; and that all such Regulations desired in our Petition may be taken into your Honour's considerations, and the weight of Silver agreed on, what shall be laid on the sleightest Thread on the pound Venice; which we humbly desire (as aforesaid) five ounces Troy to one pound Venice, and six ounces Troy to nine ounces Troy Needlework; or a greater proportion of Silver to Silk, if it shall upon examination by your Honours be found to be fitting. The truth is, the hand-Spinners cannot make the silver Thread so slight as the Wheels, and lay on so little Silver as they do; and that makes the Workmasters stand so much for the Wheels; They serving their poor hand-Spinners, as we have been informed formerly some Silkmen did the Silk-dyers, give them raw Silk, and if they did not make one pound weight so many ounces more than it ought to weigh, being justly died, the Silkmen would abate it out of their wages for dying: So the poor Spinners, if they will not spin their Silver sleight to some of their Workmasters, and make Silk go farther than it ought to do if the silver Thread be serviceable, they shall have no more work; and some of them have their wages abated them, and their Workmasters tell them, They cannot make stuff yield so much as the Wheels.  
6. Whereas your Honours ask us, Which is the best cheap to the Commonwealth, either the Wheelwork or the hand-Spinners work: to that we humbly answer; That is best cheap to any man that wears it, that lasts most and longest upon a garment, and not that which is brushed and the wind blows away; and that is best cheap that yields most to the melting-pot, when it comes to be burned, and that is our Handwork; for the Wheelwork, the Silver is almost all blown away.  
7. The wheel-Spinners cannot make any Needle work, which is the chiefest and richest work; and all Imbroiderie is made by the hand-Spinners work, and Fringe-makers must work with hand-Spinners work, if they will work good: and what work is made by the wheels, generally is sleight cheating stuff.  
8. The late King put down the wheels, and caused them to be broken in pieces, that we poor Women might have a livelihood (being in and about this City many thousands, that live on the Manufacture of gold and silver Thread): the greatest of the number of these wheels have been set up since there was no regulation in the Trade, and that every one might work what he list, since the Office Mr Violet had (for seeing this Manufacture made good) was put down: By which means the Manufacture is grown out of Esteem; and without your Honours take some strict course, the Deceits will daily increase.  
9 And if there be not a sworn Officer to do Justice, some of the Wyer-drawers will force some poor hand-Spinners to make slight silver Thread, which their necessity will compel them to do, to keep them from famishing; and the work so made is fit to burn then for any other use.  
10. Whereas the wheel men say, They were bound Apprentices to the Trade of Spinning gold and silver Thread, we deny that any was bound to the Trade  
11. If the Wyerdrawers would deal truly with your Honours, they could tell you, it is their great gain they make by the cheating wheelwork, more than by our labour which work good work, that makes them so stickle for their wheels. We do humbly desire, that some of the prime Tailors and Silkmen and Goldsmiths may be warned to attend your Honours: the Goldsmith will satisfy you what a sleight return the Silver wheelwork makes to the melting pot, being almost all wasted, and blown away with the wind: The Tailor will tell you, they are almost ashamed to sow it on; And the honest Silkman could wish all sleight wheelwork were put down, but that they must be forced to sell such as their Neighbours do, or else lose their Custom. The Silver Thread is worse made now and slighter than ever it was; many sorts of Silver Thread having not half the proportion of Silver it ought to have, and as it had, when Tho. Violet had the Regulation.  
THere was several persons desired the Counsel of Trade, that Thomas Violet (who was formerly employed in the Regulation of this Manufacture, and knoweth the way of discovering all the Frauds in this manufacture) may have the Place of surveying and searching for all course and adulterate Silver in thread and wire, and to seal all good Gold and Silver-thread. The said Thomas Violet from time to time to search with the Wardens and Assistants of the Company of Goldwyerdrawers, or by himself and his Officers, for all course Silver that is wrought in this Manufacture to the deceit of the Nation. And that the said Thomas Violet may have such allowance for the executing of the said Office, as may enable him to defray the necessary charges for the strict search and due regulation of this manufacture; for it cannot be well done without a great deal of charges.  
If your Honours trust the management of this Manufacture only to the Wyerdrawers, without naming and appointing a sworn Surveyer & Sealer of this Manufacture, one who is no Trader in these Commodities, (the Business to be carried on singly by the Wyer-drawers) will never do your work to have a just Reformation: For every Master-wyer-drawer will wink one at another, and they will by that means (under colour of Reformation) cousin the Nation by a Law, as was done in the dying of Silk: when the Silkmen had the Regulation, all such persons the Company envied, were found out and punished; in the mean time, the Governors, Masters and Assistants they cheated and cozened the Nation more than ever it was before, and no man durst say, Black was their Eye.  
The like Abuses and greater will be practised, if the management of the manufacture of Gold and Silver wire be wholly left to the Refiners and Wyerdrawers, without a third person which is no Trader, either Refiner or Wyerdrawer, and therefore not interessed by benefit to be corrupted by making the manufacture sleight or deceitful: And this we can say, If there be any Refiner or Wyerdrawer angry with Mr Violet, it is because he would not suffer them to cousin the Commonwealth, but cut and defaced all sleight Gold and Silver thread. And he tied all the workmen to make good and just Gold and Silver thread, such as was justly covered with a due proportion of Silver, to a due proportion of Silk, that would last twice as long to the wearer as the sleight wheelwork.  
For whereas Thomas Violet by himself and his Officers caused the Gold-wyer-drawers to work all their Silver thread (from 1635 to 1640.) six ounces Silver at the least to three ounces of Silk to all Needle work, and five ounces Silver to three ounces of Silk for the sleightest silver Thread; and any silver Thread that was under this size and proportion of Silver and Silk, the said Thomas Violet was authorized to burn it or deface it, which many times when he found it he did deface it. And this made some of the Wyer-drawers angry with him, whereas it was their own faults to work sleight silver and to come within his danger; Thomas Violet did but his duty to deface their course and slight silver Thread.  
But this we can affirm, during the time Tho. Violet had the Office, he caused all the Silver Thread to be made of good Silver; and there was never (for the generality) so good Silver Thread made for the use of the Nation before Mr Violet's Regulation, or since, as was during all the time he had the Regulation by his Office. If Tho. Violet were impowered to make his Searches at this day, (as he did formerly) he would (no doubt) find many Thousand Pounds of course Silver Thread in London, and Silver Thread which is as bad as course Silver.  
we pray your Honours to mark what we say. whereas (by a just Regulation) six ounces of silver and three ounces of true died silk is the true proportion for the just making of silver thread: There is now (since all this Manufacture is run into disorder, and made without a Rule) Gold and Silver spun upon heavy died silk, and ordinarily Gold and Silver thread made, three ounces Silver to six ounces Silk, and Four Ounces Silver to Five Ounces Silk.  
And this Silver so unjustly wrought and spun, to the deceit of the Wearers, is made and mixed in their Silver Laces, and other manufactures, and sold to the Wearers by the ounce for good Silver thread, whereby the Wearers are cozened half in half; and of this sort of Silver thread there is sold in Silkmens' shops many thousand pounds a year; and this Silver thread made upon the Wheels so slight and thin the Silver is spun, that it will not abide on the silk during the weaving and making the Lace, and the Tailors will declare to you, while they are soing the Lace on the Garment the Silver will shed and fall off the Silk, and when it comes to the weather, a Fog or Rain, the wet gets into the Silk, and then the Silk swells and breaks the silver (the Plate being so thinly made that it flies off; and when it is dirty, rub the Lace and you wiil leave nothing but silk: This, all that wear it, can tell you. And in this manner is many 1000 pounds a year Bruised, Cracked, and rubbed away: whereas, if the Silver was all justly and truly made with a due plait, and a due proportion of silver and Silk, the Lace would laste as long again, the Silver Lace would make as much again as it now doth; and Twenty thousand pounds a year in Silver would return to the melting Pot which by this slight making is brushed off, and wasted, and comes to be blown in the dirt. the Goldsmiths can tell you gold and silver Lace justly made, will make you three shillings the ounce, and three shillings and sixpence the ounce to burn; your slight Wheelwork will not make above one shilling or eighteen pence an ounce.  
The Wyerdrawers and Refiners have good reason to cry Tho. Violet down to the Parliament and Counsel of State; for they know he will hold their noses to the grind stone (as he did formerly) and make them to make good work, if he be restored to his Office which he formerly had. The Refiner he will have an eye on, that he melt not, nor cause to be melted any of the currant Coins or Plate of the Nation, but only Foreign Bullion imported for this Manufacture; and this was strictly looked to whilst Tho. Violet had his Office; and the Refiners by their Indenture with the King Covenanted to do so, and not to melt the currant Coin or Plate of the Nation for any of these Manufactures.  
The Wyerdrawers will do any thing rather than to be tied up to have their Silver Thread sealed. They know, than they must work it all good silver, and a due proportion of silver to a due proportion of true died silk It is not the Fee that they are to pay is that that sticks with them, for that is a trifle in comparison; it is, they shall be constrained to make all good Silver Thread with a due proportion of silver: this is the Yoke they would fain fling off themselves.  
And if your Honours do not hold them to this, to Seal their silver on Scanes, they will cheat the Nation as much as ever they did. The Wyerdrawers (in the Twentieth year of King James had a Corporation, their Charter was to punish offenders, suppress underhand Workers, and all irregular persons whatsoever: And this Charter was granted with ample Power unto the Governors, Assistants, and Commonalty to make Warrants under the Common Seal of the Governor, unto all such persons as they should think fit: and they did depute and authorise one Henry Crompton, amongst many others, (the Thirtieth of July, 16. 3. (to enter any House, Shop, Seller, Warehous, Ship or ships within England and Wales, and to search and Assay all silver and gold Thread etc. that should be wrought by any person or persons not being free of the said Company and allowed to work as aforesaid: and to seize all base and counterfeit course Silver Thread, and carry away the same, and to detain and keep it as forfeited to the use of the King All these Powers they had granted them: but for want of appointing a Sworn Officer to see the Governor Assistants and Commonalty do their duty; and to punish Offenders impartially.  
Upon the examination of the several miscarriages and frauds in the Execution of that Power, the whole Proceed was damned in Parliament, as a power that was ill and Illegally managed, under specious pretences of their Reformation of Abuses, they got to be in a capacity to cousin the State cùm Privilegio: And there was an end of this Charter.  
The Proceed of all the miscarriages of the Governors and Assistants of the Refiners and Wyerdrawers was at large Painted out in Parliament, as tending only to get a Licence for some particular men to Cousin the Commonwealth, and all others to be punished.  
My Lord Cook told the Refiners and Wyerdrawers, Where the Constable is the thief, it is to little purpose to make a hue and cry: Therefore if ever you would settle this Manufacture, put a sure Officer to see the Company of Refiners and Wyerdrawers to do their Duty, and to wake good Gold and Silver Wyer and Thread justly and truly; as was formerly when Tho. Violet had his Office. The Refiners and Wyerdrawers are angry with him only because he executed his place strictly, and would not let them Cousin the Commonwealth as they had formerly done.  
This and much more was said at the old Counsel of Trade by some of the Women-Spinners, Goldmiths, and other persons, upon several Meetings and Disputes about the Regulation of this Manufacture: And the Counsel of Trade had almost drawn the Model of a just Regulation for the preventing the Abuses: But their Commission was Determined just as they were upon finishing the Regulation: And the whole proceeding in this business was by them transmitted to the Counsel of State.  
Here followeth a Certificate against the Wheels.  
WE whose names are here underwriten, being Silkweavers, and other Traders in Gold and Silver Thread do certify to this Honourable Council of Trade, and to all people whom it may concern; The way of Spinning gold and silver thread by the Women-spinners with the Cheer and Spindle, is far more serviceable and better made by the Women spinners then by the Wheels for the benefit and service of the Commonwealth: And the Wheels and Engines for spinning gold and silver thread have greatly damnified the Women-spinners; whereby many hundred Spinsters for want of work have and will daily fall into great misery and Poverty, if there be not some good Order taken for the suppressing the Wheels.  
This Certificate is Signed by the hands of above an Hundred Weavers, Silkmen, Goldsmiths, Embroiderers, and Bonelace makers: And was humbly presented to the Counsel of Trade in the Year 1650.  
There are divers of the workmen Wyerdrawers that have been with me since the Workmasters presented the Draught of their desired Corporation, and told me, that the Master-wyerdrawers have (in the Draught of their Corporation which they delivered unto the Counsel of Trade in August last, 1656. omitted divers particular Rules which conduced very much to the well ordering of the Trade and manufactures; and have inserted particular Rules only conducing to their own private ends (being Master-wyerdrawers) and not for the general good either of the workmen of the Trade, or of the Commonwealth.  
The workmen desire that the workmasters of this manufacture may be restrained, and for the future may not (as they do) force the workmen (for their private gain) to make their work slightly and adulterate: That there may be a sworn Surveyer and Assayer appointed; one that is neither Workmaster nor workman, but an indifferent conscionable man between them both; that may Survey and Assay all work made, and to be made; and may set Rules and Orders between the workmasters & workmen, that so the workmasters may not cause the workmen to make base, sleight and adulterate work, for the workmasters private gain.  
And that the Workmen may not be so beaten down in their Prices, that they cannot make a livelihood; that the Surveyor may appoint the Assaymaster, who may try and make Assays of all work made into Silver and Gold thread, wire, Purls, Spangles, etc. that so the manufacture may be made of fine silver, not under Starling, but as much better as every Trader pleaseth.  
That Tho. Violet (who was formerly employed in the Regulation of this Manufacture, and knoweth the way of discovering all these Frauds and Deceits in the making and working of this manufacture) may be Surveyor and Searcher to seize on all course and adulterate silver, in wire and thread etc. and for all sleight work: And that your Honours set Rules and Orders for the punishing the offenders; and that all gold and silver Wyer etc. may be well and justly made: And that Tho. Violet may have such a Fee allowed him for his service and pains taken therein, as may support his Charges, and recompense him for his service, care, and pains to be taken therein, and for his warranting to the Nation that all the silver shall be justly made, and that strict penalties, should be put and laid upon all workmasters, that give their work men course adulterate Silver to work, to draw Gold or Silver wire, and that all workmasters be forbidden to cause the workmen, to draw their silver to such extraordinary sizes for slightness, that when it is twisted on the Silk it is so thin, it cannot be made servisable to the wearers, but with the wind or Rain, drops of the wearers Garments; I wished these men to put to their hands to these last aforesaid proposals, which for the present they refused, telling me, I knew these things to be true, aswell as themselves; The reason why for the present they would not set to their hands was, They would see first, whether there was an Intention, of the Parliament, or Counsel for Trade, really to reform these abuses, and to see good Silver lace, spangles etc. should be wrought and made in the Nation, and to punish strictly the offenders; when they were once assured of that, they would discover the whole bottom of the workmasters knavery and oppression, and how many of them deceiv the Commonwealth; But if they should be seen to discover these abuses, before they were assured the Parliament would reform them, by their discovery, they should be undone; for some of their workmasters would be stark mad with them; And that some of them have been threatened by their work masters (the master-wyer-drawers) never to be set on work by any of the master-wyer-drawers, if ever they petition against, or discover any the frauds of their workmasters, in these Manufactures.  
The like tyrannous threatening, many of the Master wire drawers, have used to the women spinners to terrify them from speaking the truth: So that many of these workmen to the master wyer-drawers, and also the women spyners of gold and silver thread, are in a sad condition every way; They must work course deceipfull gold and silver thread and wire, and must not, nor dare discover it, upon pain of being undone, by some of their cruel Work masters Some of them with tears in their eyes have told me, they were forced to work their Work Masters, course and deceitful silver wire and thread, (contrary to their consent) to get bread; And that their Masters have so pestered the trade formerly, with taking a multitude of apprentices, for private and present gain, that now, not one half of the Journiemen, can get work to put bread in their heads: That the Journymen, stand in more awe (many of them) and fear, to displeas their Workmasters, than their apprentices do; And this is the true reason, so much bad sleight silver thread is made.  
If one man will not work at, such sizes, and such price (that the Silver shall run such a length, that many of the Workmen even draw their eyes out of their heads;) So that when the Silver comes to be put on the Silk, it is in a manner, as thin as a gilt on a bay leaf, the wound will blow the Silver away of the silk: and then the wheele-men and hand spinners, must agree with some of these workmasters, as the Silkmen did with the Dyers, they must make one pound of raw Silk, weigh, two pound, when it comes from dying; so the Master wyer-drawers will, and at this day do, force many of their Workmen to make Silver, three ounces Silver to cover six ounces of silk and four ounces silver to cover five ounces of Silk, and this is sold for good silver thread by the Master wire drawers and Silkemen, so that the wearers are Cozened many times half in half, And this makes Knaves against a regulation, For they can get more by selling ten pounds worth of this sleight and deceitful Silver Lace, than they can do by selling forty pounds worth of good silver Lace: this is the true reason, wherefore they would have no Sealer, but would have the Regulation of this business left amongst the Refiners and Wyer-drawers themselves.  
This is the Substance of the Women spynners', and many of the Journymen wyer-drawers desires, at this day, which they would give under their hands, and prosecute it, by hundreds, if they were assured your Highness and the Parliament would appoint a strict Regulation of these abuses in their Trade; They will attend the Counsel of Trade and humbly present their desires concerning all the premises.  
My most humble Petition to your Highness and the Parliament is, For the speedy passing the Act against Transporters of Gold and Silver, & against the Colours, and melters down of the heavy Coins of this Nation, and such as buy Gold or Silver above the price of the Mint.   

THis Act was in Mr Augustin Garlands, hands in 1652. (a member of the long Parliament) and was recomended to the Parliament, by the Counsel of State, and was drawn up by a Committee of the Counsel of State for the mint, in 1651. for the appointing of Commissioners, who should make strict enquiry after the abuses of transporting Gold and Silver, And then there was an endeavour (by some of the Transporters of Gold and Silver and of such as unlawfully bought, sold, exchanged, or melted down, any of the currant coins of England, or of any Gold or Silver bulloin) to have it passed by & with a general Pardon The Committee for the mint taking Especial notice, of the great mischiefs, that have happened to the Nation by the said abuses. when the general pardon was drawing up they made this order to prevent the Offenders escaping their due punishment. viz.  
At Whitehall, Jan: 24. 1651. Mr Attorney General,  
At a Committee of the Counsel of State for the Mint, this enclosed exception, was presented to the Committee, to have it inserted in the General pardon, The Committee do hold fit, for the benefit of the Commonwealth, to have this exception inserted in the Pardon, and do recommend it to you accordingly. viz.  
Except all offences, done, and committed by any person, whatsoever, in transporting out of England any gold or silver, in Coin, or Bullion, without licence; and all other offences in the unlawful buying, selling, exchanging, and melting down of any the currant silver moneys or Bullion against whom or for which any information is now depending in the Court of Exchequer at Westminster.  
Ordered that Mr Thomas Violet attend Master Attorney General with this order of the Committee, and also the Committee of Parliament for drawing the General pardon to have these offences excepted.  
James Harrington, Herbert Morley,  
I did attend the Committee of Parliament and Master Attorney General with this abovesaid order, and they did insert the exception in the General pardon, and so none of these offenders are pardoned: the offenders are liable to the Law at this day.  

At the Committee at Whitehall August 16. 1649.  
Ordered that a Committee be appointed to take into consideration, the business of the Coin and the Par between us and other Nations, and how the coin of this nation may be kept from being carried out, and likewise to consider of some means Whereby the Mint may be set on work, and they are to speak with any persons they think good about it.   
December 20. 1649. THe Committees names Lord Precedent Bradshaw, Sir James Harrington, Sir Gilbert Pickering Sir William Constable, Mr Scot, Mr Bond, Colonel Purefoy, Colonel Joanes, Mr Thomas chaloner, Sir Henry Mildemay, Colonel Morley, Mr Allen, Mr Darley, Mr Cornelius Holland, Mr Nevil, or any two of them, Sir James Harrington had the Chair for this Committee, he writes to me this Letter, viz.  
SIR!  
Being informed of your ability and readiness to make tender of such proposals as may be for the service of the Commonwealth, I thought fit to desire you that I may speak with you to morrow in the afternoon, being Tuesday about two a Clock, at which time you shall find me at my lodgings in the Stone Gallery in Whitehall.  
12 Jan. 1649. Your loving friend, James Harrington.  
For Mr Thomas Violet these.  
And at the desire of Sir James Harrington and Mr Thomas chaloner, and others of the Honourable Committee, for the Mint I did write to Holland for all the principal Coins in Christendom, and did deliver many of them to the officers of the Mint to make an assay of them, which several pieces of foreign gold and silver were assayed in the Presence of the Committee of the Mint, they being there at the Tower several days to make these Trials, where I attended them, and I sent into Holland France and Flanders, for all their several Placares, and did procure the Laws and Ordinances for regulating their respective mints, with the several standards and weighits for their Coins, gold or silver to be translated, and thereupon the Committee of the Mint caused the principal of these foreign Coins to be engraven with their weight and fineness of every piece, according to the standard of each mint, both gold and silver, what it ought to weigh, with a just Calculation of the value what all the several Species would make in the Tower of London, and the penny weight, and grains that every such foreign Specie or Coin would make in the Tower of London, and what proportion our gold and silver held with the mints of Flanders France and Holland: and this was exactly calculated by the officers of the Mint and myself, in the years 1651 and 1652, and all the proceed thereupon. After many month's time, and the several Coins, graven in Copper Plates, were delivered into the custody of Sir James Harrington, the chairman of that committee, to report them unto the House, but the Parliament being dissolved 20 April, 1653. the Act against the Transporters of Gold, and all the Proceed concerning the regulation of the mint was stopped for that time. There had been several Agitations concerning this Act in the house many times in Parliament viz. 18. March 1640. The business of the examination of the transporting Goldand Silver referred to the Committee, that was appointed to consider of the state of the King's Army, and Thomas Violet appointed by that order of Parliament to prosecute this business.  
An order of Parliament 1 September. 1647. That the Committee of the navy consider of some effectual course to prevent the Transportatim of Bullion, and to report what they have done, to the house. The Committee of the Navy, 2. September 1647. direct their order to the Commissioners and officers of the Customs and particularly to Mr Edward Watkins, than head Searcher, and they were all desired to consider of some course to prevent the Transportation of Bullion out of the nation. In October 1647. All the Commissioners with the chief officers of the Custom-house set down several ways for the prevention of the Transporting of Gold and Silver, which the Merchants by all secret means do daily Transport. The Committee of the Navy by their order of the third of Dec. 1647. directed their order to the officers of the Mint, to certify their opinions, what ways & courses were to be taken for preventing the Transporting of Gold & Silver out of the nation. The officers of the Mint, after great consultation and consideration, having taken good advice; (some of them having had long experience viz. Mr. Palmer and Mr Cogan were the fit to give advice) first the officers of the Mint upon their certificate desire that all the Transporters of Gold and Silver, and such as have melted down the currant Coin of the nation, may be brought to justice to Deter others from acting the like abuses for the future. Secondly, that according to the precedent of the statute of 14 Richard 2. Cap. 12. A Commission be granted to make enquiry through the nation after all such as had conveyed the moneys of England out of the nation, and of all such as could out and melted the heavy currant money, 4 Hen. 4. Cap. 10. the sixth of Edward 6. Cap. 19 Touching the exchange of Gold and silver to be put in execution, that whosoever gives more for Gold or Silver than it is or shall be declared, shall make fine at pleasure of the State, To conclude they say in their Certificate, that the Mint cannot be employed, nor the Transporting treasure stopped, if some course were not speedily taken to discover these great abuses, and already all the Gold is Transported out of the nation, and the Silver followeth apace, and this is the Certificate of all the chief officers of the Mint. 3. December. 1647.  
About November 1647. The Citizens of London petitioned the Parliament against the Transporters, of Gold and Silver, showing the great mischiefs that came to the City thereby.  
The 18 of August, 1649. The Counsel of State ordered, that a Committee should be appointed, to take into their considerations, the business of the Coin, and the Par between this and other Nations: and that there be care taken, that the Coin of this Nation may be kept from carrying away out of the Nation; And to consider of some means how the Mint may be set on work. In pursuance of this last Order, the then Counsel of State did give order for the draught of an Act, which was drawn by order of the Committee for the Mint, And I Thomas Violet was required by the Counsel of State to attend this business, And upon several meetings and debates, of several Honourable members of the then Counsel of State; The draught of an act of Parliament against transporters of Gold and Silver was finished, and left by order of Parliament in Mr. Augustin Garlands custody; and the said Act was twice read in the House, & about the 12 of April 1653. following called for again, and appointed to be finished; as appears by the Journals of the House: But other mighty business did intervene.  
May it pleas Your Highness! It was easily to be discerned that some guilty Merchants, who had been guilty of Transporting of Gold had hindered this Act from passing; and I know all the Members in that Parliament were not free from transporting gold and silver, and that made some of them say, as long as they sat within the Parliament wall, that Act, against transporting gold, culling the English coins or buying of gold and silver, contrary to the law, should never pass the house.  
Former Ages have made transporting gold and silver Felony, as appears by several Statutes; And all such as Cull and melt the currant Coins of the Nation, to forfeit triple the value, of the moneys, they have melted or caused to be melted: And by the Statute of 6 Ed. 6. cap. 19 who soever gives more for Gold or Silver, than it is or shall be declared by the King's Procamation to be currant for within this his Highness' Realm; that all the said coined moneys gold or silver, so exchanged & every part and parcel thereof shall be forfeit, and the parties so offending, shall suffer Imprisonment, by the space of one year, and make fine at the King's Pleasure.  
I have for these many years, pressed for an act of Parliament to be made according to the Statute of 14. Rich. 2. cap 12. for Comissions, to go through the Nation, to inquire of such as have conveyed the gold and silver, out of England, to the prejudice and damage of the Nation. 9 Ed. 3. cap. 3. 17. Rich. 2. cap. 1. 2. H. 4. cap. 4. 4. H. 4. cap. 10. 9 H. 5. cap. 1. 2. H. 6. cap. 6. 4. H. 7. cap. 13. 1. H. 8. cap. 13. By all these aforesaid Laws and Statutes, your Highness' predecessors endeavoured strictly to look to the preservation of the Coins of the Nation.  
May it please your Highness,  
THere was about twenty million of gold and silver, coined in the Tower, from the year 1622. to 1645 as will appear by the Mint books, upon a calculation (which The Clerks can quickly find out to a penny) and all this gold is already transported, the currant silver coins all culled and the heaviest transported or melted to make gold and silver lace, and that moneys which remains is clipped and light. And these mischiefs have been acted by particular persons and will every day increase, without some speedy and timely remedy be had, to find out the Offenders.  
The currant Silver coins of the Nation have been greatly spent, in making the manufacture of gold and silver wire, thread etc. formerly in the years, from 1624., to 1630. There being then a war with Spain, Starling silver was sold, by the Goldsmiths for five shilling and three pence and five shilling and four pence, the ounce, Now the money in the Tower is coined at five and a pence, So that all but the clipped and very light money was melted down, to make plate and gold and Silver wire and thread. And this was known to be the general practice, of almost all the Goldsmiths and Refiners in London. I most humbly say. There is never an honest Goldsmith in London, that will have the face to deny this to be a truth, Silver was then so scarce that in payment of a thousand pounds you should receiv nine hundred pounds in gold, and then in 1629. men were troubled to get silver money for gold, Silver was so scarce: The East India company bought up in those years, Spanish money and dollars and gave four shilling 10 pence a piece for them, which is five pence in a piece of Eight more than they will make in the Mint.  
Now your Highness hath a war with Spain the fountain of Silver is diverted for the present, so that silver riseth, and so consequently the Goldsmith weighs and culls all the Silver, that passeth through his hands, And as the market riseth so doth the Goldsmith lighten his plummet, or weight he culls the Money of the Nation with, till at last they will cull and melt it all up.  
Some Goldsmiths in Lumbert street, (contrary to the law) have bought and sold Million of Gold till now at last, they have bought & sold all the Gold out of the Nation, and the currant Silver coin of this Nation, is following after a great pace, and will still follow except a strict Law be made to discover the offenders, and bring them to severe justice to deter others, there will be no money left in the Nation. neither gold nor silver. The sad effects of such a mischief is not suddenly apprehended, for no great action can be done without money; And the long Parliament though they could not then agree, for the passing of an act against the Transporters of Gold and Silver, yet they excepted all such as transported Gold or Silver, or culled or melted the currant coins, or bought or sold gold and silver, contrary to the Laws and statutes of the Nation from the general Pardon. A Commission to inquire and find out the offenders, directed to skilful discreet persons, and authorized by act of Parliament, according to former precedents will bring in good store of moneys towards the payments of public debts.  
May it pleas your Highness (for the Regulating of Gold and Silver thread) If the Refiners and wire drawers be not tied to refine all the silver for their manufactures, in one place, and not to melt any silver but what shall be Imported from beyond the Seas, or shall proceed from  silver, Returns of their Manufacture, and this to be duly and strictly enjoined them, and that culling and melting of the currant Silver money of the Nation, for these manufactures Be, for the future, made Felony; and strict Rules and ordinances to provent all the frauds formerly practised both by the Refiners and wyer-drawers, (which offences are by me most humbly presented to your highness, & the Parliament for a redress and reformation) If there be not such officers and Ministers appointed as aforesaid, This manufacture will never be regulated nor the frauds prevented. I do also implore your Highness' Grace and Justice for the Restoring me to my place which I had, and to have such sees as formerly I Received, and I to warrant the Manufacture to be justly made to the nation, or pay the damage to any that are damnified by any gold or silver thread, sealed in my Office. And that your Highness and the Parliament, will be graciously pleased out of your Benignity favorabily to accept of these your loyal subjects Endeavours to do your Highness and the common wealth most humble and faithful service; which shall for ever oblige me daily to proceed, and for ever to Remain your humblest Loyal Subject.   
September 29, 1656. Thomas Violet.