TWO PETITIONS OF THOMAS VIOLET of LONDON Goldsmith, TO THE KING'S Majesty: I. Setting forth the great abuses practised by the makers of Gold and Silver Thread, Wire, Lace, to the great waste of the Stock and Treasure of the Kingdom, in culling and melting down the heavy currant Silver. II. One hundred & twelve several parcels of course and adulterate Silver Lace, sold for good Silver by several Shopkeepers in London; all these assays certified under the hands of Mr. Alexander Jackson, who is sworn Assay-Master at Goldsmith's Hall, which Silver was course and adulterate, under Sterling, being all wrought against the Law. III. Ten several Heads or Branches certified by the Committee of Trade the 17th of June 1657. setting forth the several abuses in making Gold and Silver Lace, Wire, and Thread; and several ways set down for the preventing the same for the future, to which I humbly refer. iv Thomas Violet's Petition to the Right Honourable, several LORDS of the PRIVY COUNCIL, who are appointed a Committee for the removing the obstructions of the Mint, that their Honours would be be pleased to take Order for the Regulating of this Trade, and prevent the abuses put upon the wearers of Gold and Silver Lace, and for their fuller information, that an Order may be directd from the LORDS of the COUNCIL to the Company of Goldsmiths, requiring them for His MAJESTY'S service, that they forthwith take into consideration, to present to your Lordships such Rules, Orders, and Instructions for the due vending, and uttering of the said Manufactures, as they in their great experience shall find most necessary for the ends expressed. LONDON, Printed Anno Dom. 1661. TO THE KING'S MOST Excellent Majesty: And to the LORDS of His MAJESTY'S most Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL. The humble Petition of Thomas Violet Goldsmith. Humbly Sheweth, THat your Majesty's Royal Father of blessed memory, upon complaint to him made by many Persons, Noblemen, Gentlemen, Goldsmiths, and others; and also to his Majesty's Privy Council, as appears by Orders of the Privy Council the 25. of January 1634. showing, That much course Gold & Silver Lace, Gold and Silver Thread, Spangles, Oaes and Wyre, was daily in great quantities sold for good Silver, to the great damage and hindrance of the Mint, in the excessive quantities made for inferior persons. And that great quantities of English heavy Silver money, was culled, and melted down daily, for the making of these Manufactures, to the great waist of the stock of currant Silver, and to the daily deceit of the wearers of Gold and Silver Lace. And by Order of some of your Majesty's Royal Fathers Privy Council, viz. Mr. Secretary Cook, your Petitioner, and some others, were employed to buy up several parcels of Silver Lace, in several Silk-men, and Wyerdrawers Shops in London: and thereupon your Petitioner, and some others, brought the said Lace, Spangles, Wyer, Purls, Oaes, to Mr. Alexander Jackson Assay-Master of Goldsmiths-Hall, and he Assayed about one hundred and twelve several parcels of Gold and Silver Lace, Spangles, Thread, Wyer, etc. as appears under his hand. All these Assays being by him the sworn Officer appointed for that service, found, and reported to be all made of course and adulterate Silver, mixed with Copper, contrary to the Law, being vended, for good Silver; and the Gentleman is now living, a man of great experience, skill, and credit, that can attest this, to be true to your Majesty's Privy Council. And your Petitioner hath the names of the several men's Houses and Shops of the Silk-men, Wyerdrawers, and others, and the day, and the year, this course adulterate Silver was by them sold: These original Papers your Petitioner hath ready to produce to your Majesty, and your most honourable Council. Thereupon his late Majesty, and his Privy Council, commanded Sir John Banks, your Majesty's Father Attorney General, to put some of the eminent of the Offenders into the Star-Chamber; and thereupon both Refiners and Wyerdrawers petitioned his Majesty for a Corporation, and that they would so order themselves, that these abuses being so many, and fully proved, should all be regulated and prevented for the future. But upon full examination at the Privy Council, his Majesty, and the Lords, being fully possessed what had formerly been acted by the Wyerdrawers for several years. When they had a Corporation, that the abuses continued so notoriously notwithstanding the Wyerdrawers' Charter, that their Corporation was damned in Parliament, about the latter end of King James' time, in a quiet time, this was done, and Sir Giles Monpeople had like to be undone for procuring the Wyerdrawers to have a Corporation, as will appear in the Parliament Records to which I humbly refer. It was demonstrated in that Parliament, before your Majesty's Royal Father, being then Prince, that the Wyerdrawers made Silver Wyer with a core of Copper, and sold the same for fine Silver; your Majesty's Royal Father remembering this, was both showed, and proved in the Parliament House of Lords, he being then present, would not trust the Wyerdrawers with a Corporation, 1635. his Majesty saying, That would give the Gold Wyerdrawers an opportunity to cousin the Kingdom again; they having cozened the Kingdom of above twenty thousand pounds a year, by deceitful making these Manufactures, and venting the same for good, for these last twenty years. May it please your Majesty, your Royal Father upon debate, and advice of his Privy Council, taking special notice of your Petitioners activity and ability to discover, and reform these abuses, in consideration of these service, did by his Letters Patents appoint your Petitioner for three lives, and the longer liver of them, to have, and take the charge and care to be the Surveyors, Tryers, Sealer's, Assayers of all Gold and Silver Wyer, Thread, Purls, Oaes, Spangles, and all other Manufactures of this sort, and to Mark, Register, Seal, or Assay the same, before any of these Manufactures should be exposed to sail; with power given to your Petitioner, to search for, and seize on all course and adulterate Silver, made into any of the aforesaid Manufactures, and to burn, and deface the same, according to the Law, to suffer no Silver to be wrought into any of these Manufactures, or put to sail, but Sterling Silver at the least. Your Petitioner hath two lives yet in being, his own life, and another's, under the great Seal, for the grant and allowance of one half penny the ounce Troy for all Silver Wyer, Spangles, Purls, Oaes, and four pence the pound Venice, which is one half penny the ounce Troy for sealing or surveying all Gold and Silver Thread, etc. For the consideration of these Fees, your Petitioner did keep, and is bound to keep at his own charge several persons to give their attendance to Survey or Assay all Gold or Silver Wyer, Thread, Spangles, etc. to pay House-rent, books, wax, fire, coals, etc. and to warrant to all persons whomsoever, that all Gold and Silver Wyer drawn at the Office appointed by your Majesty's Royal Father's Proclamation, should all be made of good Silver, none under Sterling, or the Standard. And if it should chance any person or persons to be wronged in the premises, and buy Gold and Silver Wyer, Thread, or Lace, made and drawn, and sealed in the said Office, by your Petitioner, or his Servants, that then your Petitioner should pay full damages to any Person that could find out, or discover the same. And your Majesty's Royal Father set forth his Proclamation, and appointed by his Commissioners under the great Seal, some of His most honourable Privy Council, his Attorney and Solicitor General, and Masters of Request, and Clarks of the Council, His Officers of the Mint, and some eminent Aldermen to be His Commissioners, giving them instructions under his Majesty's sign Manual, this being done 1635. by the advice of His Privy Council, after many days hearing at the Council Table. These Gentlemen sat every week one day, and five made a Committee, and sometimes more, to regulate and restrain the abuses, and they caused some of the Offenders to be set in the Pillory, being indicted at Newgate; and in the compass of six years, brought the workmen, and all people trading in this Manufacture, into that good order and decorum, that all Gold and Silver Lace, Thread, Wyer, etc. was as exactly made as the Plate or moneys of the Kingdom, the numbers of Workmen regulated, a due Proportion of Silver to Silk, whereby this Manufacture was made the best in London of any place in Christendom, and your Petitioner seeing all orders and rules settled and made by the Commissioners, or any five of them to be duly executed, was the principal cause of that Reformation that followed. This Regulation was complained of in Parliament, 1640. but upon Examination all Parties put to take their Remedy by the Law, and I have in all times justified the Regulation. Your Petitioner being 1641. first sent by the Parliament a Prisoner to Peter house then a ship board to the King's Bench: & in the year 1643. sent close Prisoner to the Tower for near four years, being kept in a dungeon 928 days of that time, and had my estate plundered, to the value of eleven thousand pounds, and my damage at this day above twenty thousand pounds, and threatened to be sent for a slave to Argier, for bringing from your Majesty's Royal Father from Oxford 1643 a Letter for peace to the City of London. In all I was about eight years a Prisoner. But upon the persecution of the long Parliament, your Petitioner went to your Royal Father to York, and the honourable Commissioners appointed for the regulating this Manufacture, being Privy Counsellors, and other eminent Officers of the Kingdom. These Gentlemen, almost all of them, according to their duties, followed your Majesty's Royal Father in all his Troubles, but since, length of Time, fortune of the Wars, and other casualties, almost all of these Honourable Councillors are dead, by whose wisdom and care these abuses were regulated, and this Regulation afterwards neglected, the heavy coins melted, Silver slightly and adulterately made, to the damage of the Kingdom many hundred thousand pounds within this twenty years. In your Petitioners Patent under the Great Seal of England, there is this Proviso, that if hereafter the Government or Regulation of this Manufacture by Commissioners, be altered or changed into any other form, or any other Proclamation for the regulating this Manufacture, yet your Petitioners Grant, with his Fees and Powers, should be, and continue firm, good and effectual in the Law, as appears by your Petitioners Patent, dated 7 Sept. 14. Car. which Patent taken out of the Rolls, your Petitioner hath left with the Honourable Mr. Attorney General, with a Petition to your Majesty, formerly referred to the Right Honourable the Lord's Commissioners of your Majesty's Treasury, touching the Regulation of this business, 15. Sept. 1661. Your Petitioners humble prayer to your Majesty is, that your Majesty would speedily prevent the great abuses and disorders daily practised, in the undue making of Gold and Silver Thread, Wire, Lace, Spangles, and the unlawful melting of the heavy current silver Coins, there being above twenty thousand pounds a year wasted and bruised away, by thin and slight making of Silver Lace, for the private profit of the Wiredrawers, which if it were duly made, would all be returned to the melting Pot, and avoid that waste of Treasure, that by order of your Majesty and your Privy Council, all persons as formerly, from 1635. to 1641. be enjoined to the due essaying of all Silver Wire at the Bar, and the Thread sealed, and true Registers kept of all Gold and Silver employed in this Manufacture, and all Bars and Engines brought into one place, according to the Proclamation of your Majesty's Royal Father, in the 11th. year of his Reign, that so your Majesty may have a true Account what Silver is spent in this Manufacture, and so regulate the Excess, which is to the prejudice of your Mint, that base and inferior persons may not wear the same. I humbly beseech your Majesty to read the Reasons of the Committee for Trade, fol. 11. 10. Head▪ never to trust the wire-drawers with a Corporation, or with the rule & government of this Manufacture. And then if your Majesty be pleased to compare what your royal Father of blessed memory observed of these wire-drawers in the Parliament, when he was Prince, that they had deceived their trust, and he would not trust them again. they have cozened the Kingdom within these twenty years of above twenty thousand pounds a year, in slight, course, and deceitful silver lace, and now are endeavouring to get a Corporation, to work in iniquity by a Law, if your Majesty prevent it not. And that your Petitioner may be required to continue his Searches so often as he shall find just occasion, to seize all course Silver, under sterling, made or making into any of these Manufactures, and to deface the same, returning the material to the Owner as soon as they are defaced, according to his Patent, that no Gold or Silver Lace be hereafter mixed in any part with Copper, or made under sterling. For the better enabling your Petitioner to do this service, your Petitioner humbly prays your Majesty to renew your Royal Father's former Commission 1635. with such alterations and additions, as your Majesty and your Privy Council, with the Attorney General shall judge fit, for the persons and the powers to be your Majesty's Commissioners for this business. Or else if your Majesty and your Privy Council shall think it meet for your service, and the fuller discovery of these abuses, (never suffer the Gold Wiredrawers to have a Corporation.) But if your Majesty, by advice of your Privy Council, command the Corporation of Goldsmiths, by reason the regulating of Gold and Silver is a particular branch of their Trade, that they be required by your Majesty to take and view the former regulation of this Manufacture, as it was settled by Commissioners, from the year 1635. to 1641. and to consider of such alterations and additions for the due Regulation of this Manufacture, that all abuses now practised in the Workmasters, Workmen, Traders and Venders of this Commodity, may for the future be prevented; your Majesty, Nobility, and Gentry duly served with good Silver Lace, which maintains by Manufacture many thousand people in the City of London. All Gold and Silver Wire drawn at the Office for any of these aforesaid Manufactures, of Lace, Thread, Embroidery, to be effayed and warranted to be good Sllver by your Petitioner, as he hath put in Security into the Exchequer, or to pay the damage. That the Company of Goldsmiths, as often as occasion shall require, shall from time to time propound such Rules and Orders, for the due making, vending, and uttering the same Manufactures, as they in their experience shall find most necessary for the ends expressed, and being required by your Majesty, for their daily assisting, advising, and counselling your Petitioner to discharge the Trust and Duty of his Place, according to his Grant under the Great Seal, that so all the former abuses for the future may be prevented, and the credit of this manufacture restored, and your Petitioner encouraged to do his duty, to discover these abuses, and for to encourage the Goldsmith's Company to look carefully after this business, that after the Expiration of your Petitioners Grant, by your Majesty's grace and goodness, the Powers, Fees and Salaries granted to your Petitioner, to enable him to do this service, may for ever be fixed and annexed to the Company of Goldsmiths and their Successors, they then putting in Security in fifteen hundred pounds into the Exchequer, as your Petitioner hath done already, for the warranting all Gold and Silver Wire drawn as aforesaid, for making any the aforesaid Manufactures to be good Silver, and that the Company of Goldsmiths by your Majesty's Gracious Reference, be commanded to certify your Majesty's Privy Council, and your Attorney General, of such ways and Rules they shall find best to prevent these abuses, your Majesty being graciously pleased to recommend the same to your Parliament, to have this Regulation settled on the Goldsmiths by Parliament. This will perfect the Reformation, and prevent the daily abuses put on the Wearers of Gold and Silver Lace, when the Company of Goldsmiths that are Artists, but no Traders in this Manufacture, shall be bound to warrant the same to all persons, and to survey and see the Gold Wiredrawers do their duty. May it please your Majesty, I have spoken with he Company of Goldsmiths about a month since, who have declared to me, that if your Majesty, or your Privy Council send them your commands to set down the ways and rules, to the best of their skill for this Regulation, they will withal rediness humbly do it; and if these rules be approved on with such alterations as your Majesty, & your Privy Council shall judge fit, and by your Majesty recomended to the Parliament, and by them approved; they tell me this is the only certain and safe way for them to act, to reform this abuse, which the Goldsmiths have confessed, they know is a great shame to the Kingdom, that the Nobility and Gentry should be so daily deceived as they are, in course slight, adulterate silver lace, wire, spangles, thread, etc. which the Assaying of, and Surveying of these Manufactures by your Petitioner, will for the future prevent, and the advice and assistance of the Company of Goldsmiths, will strengthen your Petitioner in this service. And your Petitioner shall ever pray, etc. At the Court at Whitehall Jan. 25. 1634. Present. The KING'S most Excellent Majesty. Lord Archb. of Cant. Lord Keeper. Lord Treasurer. Lord Privy Seal. Lord Duke of Lenox. Lord Mar. Hamilton Earl Martial. Lord Ghamberlaine. Earl of Dorset. Earl of Carlisle. Earl of Holland. Lord Cottington. Lord Newburgh. Mr. Treasurer. Mr. controller. Mr. Vice Chamberl. Mr. Secretary Coke. Mr. Secret. Windebank UPon Complaint made this day to his Majesty, sitting in Counsel by Sir Henry Mildmay, Knight Master of the Jewelhouse, that much of his Majesty's Plate had been stolen, and then melted down into Ingots, and unlawfully sold, as well to sundry Goldsmiths as to Refiners. For proof whereof he presented sundry depositions, of which two were read. And upon Information given by some of the Wardens and Company of Goldsmiths, (who did this day attend) touching the detriment which ariseth by the undue practices of the said Refiners. Who in stead of selling Silver Bullion to the said Company of Goldsmiths, or bringing it to the Mint, according to the Statute of the fourth year of Henry the seventh, do raise the same in fineness, and utter it to the Wiredrawers, and others of like Trades, at higher rates, then either the Mint can allow, or the Goldsmiths can give. And do thereby cause the Consumption of a great and excessive mass of gold and silver, in thread, spangles, and other unnecessary things. His Majesty having taken the premises into consideration, was pleased to order and command (with advice of the Board) that the said Sir Henry Mildmay shall go to Mr. Attorney General, with the said depositions, and what he else can produce to that purpose. And that the Goldsmiths shall likewise attend the said Mr. Attorney, with such informations as they have already, or can recover by further Inquirie, (wherein they are to use all speed and diligence) And that thereupon Mr. Attorney shall prosecute in a legal way, such as he shall find to be offenders as well Goldsmiths as Refiners, in any of the particulars beforementioned, And cause the said Statute (against the said Refiners, etc.) to be strictly put in execution. And such course to be presently taken, that the penalties thereupon may be recovered against such as are or shall be found offenders against the said Statute. W. BECHER. IN Prosecution of the aforesaid Order, and to bring the Offenders to Justice, by order of Mr. Secretary Cook and others. Mr. Alexander Jackson, the sworn Assay-Master of Goldsmith's Hall, was commanded to make true Assay of an hundred and twelve several parcels of Gold and Silver lace, Spangles, Silver, some of this silver Lace and Thread, holding in Copper above four ounces on a pound Troy, some 6 d. 3 d. 2 d. worse than sterling upon the ounce. This was done in April 1635. And in May 1639. all these parcels of Silver Lace, Purls, Spangles and Thread, made and reported by the abovesaid Mr. Alexander Jackson, for which service I paid him five pounds, as I have his Receipt and Assays reported under his hand, who is now living, a Gentleman of great experience and credit, and can justify upon his Oath these several parcels of Silver Lace, being all under sterling; And I have it Attested under several hands, that these parcels of Silver Lace was made, uttered, and sold against the Laws of the Kingdom, and contrary to the Oath of every Freeman of London, every Freeman working any Gold or Silver, doth or aught to swore to work no Silver in any Manufacture but sterling, nor no Gold in Manufacture under Crown Gold, that by the Law all persons offending aught to be Indicted, and stand in the Pillory, and be fined at the Pleasure of the Justices at the Sessions, and find Sureties for their good behaviour. I caused some of these offenders that made Silver Lace, Wire and Thread, with a Core of Copper, to be set in the Pillory in Cheapside, and fined at the Sessions, and caused twenty men to run out of the City of London, beyond seas, for selling Silver Lace mixed with Copper, This Sir George Sands knoweth to be true, his brother being cozened here in London with a great parcel of Silver Lace mixed with Copper, which he paid for as good Silver. If your Majesty had not pardoned these Abuses, I could set down the particular names, and mark them to posterity with a black Impression, of both Silkmen, Wiredrawers, and others, with the number of about fifty Shopkeepers, who sold these hundred and twelve parcels of course counterfeit Lace, Spangles, Thread, Wire, for good Silver, and the year and day they did it, with good witnesses to prove it, which had they their due, by the Law they ought to stand in the Pillory, and make fine and ransom to your Majesty. But I hope for their amendment; yet if required, I can produce to your Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council their Names with witness. At the Sub-Committee of Parliament, appointed to take into consideration the several petitions of the Refiners of gold and silver, the Gold Wyer drawers, the Hand-Spinners with the Chary and Spindle, and the Wheel spinners, and of Thomas Violet of London, Goldsmith, for the due regulation of the Manufactures of Gold and Silver wire and thread, pearl, oaes, plated wire, spangles, and Copper wire and thread, etc. to prevent the former abuses practised in the said Manufactures: and to prohibit the culling, and melting down the currant Silver coins of this Nation for the future. WE have called before us the Petitioners, and have several days heard this business, and upon consideration had, we do offer as followeth. 1. Forasmuch as it appeared unto us, that several great abuses have been, and are daily committed in the culling, and melting down of the currant silver coins, of this Nation: It is therefore offered, as our opinion, that his— and the Parliament, take strict order, by Proclamation, or otherwise, to restrain the melting down of the currant coins of this Nation, for the making of these Manufactures, or any other manufacture whatsoever. We have had presented unto us four Proclamations, two of them in the time of the late King James his Reign, and the other two in the time of the late King Charles: which Proclamations we have perused, and do find in all of them, that the melting down of any of the currant Coins of this Nation is forbidden, upon strict penalties to be laid, and inflicted upon the offenders. 2. It is also our opinion, that it would be good and beneficial to this Commonwealth, if his— and the Parliament would be pleased to take order to prevent the daily abuses practised by Artists, in the making of these manufactures aforesaid; And for the discovering of these frauds for the time to come; And for that end and purpose to appoint a sworn Surveyor, with a Seal, for the sealing of all gold and silver thread, and copper thread, and to appoint punchion irons to be made, to mark all gold and silver wire, that shall be employed or spent in any the said manufactures: And the Surveyor, Assayer, or Sealer, to put in good security to his— in the Exchequer, in the sum of 1500 l. to warrant all the manufactures sealed, surveyed, and marked, to be good silver and gold, according to the standard, and well and duly made; the silver and gold thread to contain five ounces Troy to a pound weight Venice, which is Eight Ounces Troy, and one fifth part: And that no gold or silver wire or thread, shall be hereafter made and sold, under sterling, or before the said gold and silver thread, or wire, be viewed, and sealed, or stamped, upon pain of forfeiture of the same to his—: And that strict order and command be given, that no person, or persons, do counterfeit the aforesaid Seal, or stamps which are to be appointed by his— or the Parliament. The late King, to prevent the aforesaid abuses, in the eleventh year of his reign, by Proclamation appointed the Rose crowned, to be the seal, for sealing this manufacture of gold and silver thread; and for the copper gift, and silvered thread, the seal appointed was the Lion crowned. 3. We offer it as our opinion, that all gold and silver thread, which shall be hereafter made, shall hold a due proportion of silver to silk: viz. no gold or silver thread be for the time to come made, under five ounces Troy, of sterling silver, to a pound weight Venice, upon pain of forfeiture of all the aforesaid manufactures, which shall not be wrought according to the aforesaid rule. But every workmaster, and other persons whomsoever, are allowed to put in as much more silver as he or they please. And this rule being duly observed, will prevent all slight making of gold and silver thread: which will save the State in the Bullion of this Nation, many thousand pounds a year, which is now brushed and blown away, and comes to nothing. 4. We offer it, as our opinion, that the Office of Surveyor, Sealer, or Assayer, may be in one person, to be responsable to the Commonwealth, for all abuses in sealing sleight and adulterate silver thread, or marking course silver Wyer, under Sterling; to avoid putting and posting off one from another, the abuses, when they are found, either of course silver wire, or of course gold or silver thread, made under Sterling, or not justly made, with five ounces of silver, Troy weight, to a pound Venice; That so the office being in one person, all persons wronged may know certainly where, and to whom they may come for their remedy, for all silver thread that is sealed, or silver wire marked or stamped in the office, & which shall be found course and adulterate, or under Sterling, the officer to be bound to make it good, and pay the damage. 5. That the Sealer's or Surveyors, shall cause all the silver employed for these manufactures, to be duly assayed in the Bar, or Ingot, or in the hanck of wire; and that true Registers and Entries be kept of the same, both of the quantity, and fineness of every bar of silver, or hanck of Wyer disgrossed for these manufactures. And that the State may have a just account what silver is spent in this manufacture yearly: to that end, all Barrs and Disgrossing Irons, be brought to one place: as the late King by his Proclamation settled this manufacture, in the eleventh year of his reign. 6. That all gold and silver thread shall be made up in skeynes, and not on quills, according to the rules in the late King's time; as appears by the Proclamation in the eleventh year of the late King Charles. And that at one end of the skeyne there be put the workman's mark, and as the other, Surveyors mark, or seal, to testify the goodness thereof. And that all Master-workmen bring in their names, and their abiding places, and work-houses, and their seals, or marks, to be hung up openly in the office, as was formerly done in 1635. in the Office in Little Britain, upon the penalty and pain of 200 l. And that the Surveyor and his deputies, may be impowered to make searches so often as he shall find occasion, to see all the workers of these manufactures, make good, and warrantable gold and silver thread and wire, for all the said manufactures; and to seize all course and adulterate and slight manufactures aforesaid, for the use of his—, where they shall be found false, or adulterate, or not a due proportion of silver to silk; or any person, or persons working these manufactures, whose name is not registered in the Office. We leave it to his— and the Parliament, to set down what proportion of the seizures shall go to them that discovers the same offenders, for their encouragement. 7. Whereas upon hearing all parties concerned in the making of gold and silver thread, and upon due consideration of the same, finding that the use of the Wheels in making the said Manufacture of gold and silver thread, is of great prejudice to the Commonwealth, in the making of slight, false, and counterfeit ware; and to the utter undoing of many thousands of poor Hand-spinners, who make the said Manufacture with the Chair and Spindle: It is therefore the opinion of the said Committee, that the making of the said Manufacture by the Wheels, be totally suppressed. 8. Forasmuch as this Committee are satisfied, that a great number of servant Maids leave their services, and betake themselves to the Trade of silver-spinning, lying in private chambers; not only to the impoverishing of themselves, but also of those who have been long exercised, and brought up in the said Trade, to the utter ruin of the poor people who have served apprenticeships to this Trade, and their families: It is therefore offered as the opinion of this Committee, that from henceforth no person, or persons, either men or women, exercise the Trade of making this manufacture, but such who shall have served the term of seven year's apprenticeship to the said Trade, or have been exercised in the same for the term of seven year's last passed. 9 We offer, that no gold or silver lace, or other the manufactures aforesaid, be made up, or mingled with any Copper gold or silver thread, wire, or plate, under the penalty of one hundred pounds, And that no person using, or making any copper gold, or copper silver wire, plate, thread, spangles, oaes, or any other the manufactures aforementioned, shall at the same time, make, utter, or sell any right gold and silver, under the penalty of one hundred pounds. And we do likewise think it necessary, that all copper wire being silvered, or gilt, be disgrossed all at one place: and the copper thread to be sealed with a seal to be appointed by his— and the Parliament; and the Surveyer of the silver thread to be keeper of the seal for the copper; as was formerly done by the Regulation in the 11th. of King Charles. 10. We offer it as the opinion of this Committee, That whereas the Refiners and Wyer-drawers have desired a Corporation, to regulate their Trade, and the numbers, and that interlopers, and such as have no right to the trade, may not pester their profession; these interlopers working unduly in corners: We conceive a Corporation granted to them, with several restrictions, for the just, and due Regulation, may be very serviceable to the Commonwealth: and some of these Restrictions we here set down, the rest we leave to be added. 1. That this Trade never get a licence to cull, or melt the coins of the Nation, for making their manufacture. 2. That they may not work any silver under the Standard. 3. That they may not work gold or silver thread with less silver than five ounces Troy weight, to a pound Venice; for the thin plate of silver to a great body of silk, being laid on a garment the silver is brushed, and rubbed away, and there remains very little silver to the melting-pot: and by this fraudulent practice, an incredible sum of silver is wasted yearly, as hath been affirmed to us by Artists, above thirty thousand pounds a year, which by this Regulation, of putting five ounces Troy of silver, to a pound Venice, will be saved in the stock of the Nation; and the lace will last four times as long, and the silver will return all to the melting pot. It is our opinions, that his— have yearly the weight and true value, and fineness of the Standard of all gold and silver daily employed, or spent in this manufacture, as they register in the mint and Goldsmiths-Hall, the true weight of the plate and moneys; and this Register shall be kept and delivered in yearly, by the Sealer and Assayer of this manufacture upon oath. And we offer it as our opinions, That if the State will have any good to come of this Regulation, and to be justly and faithfully served; then the place of Surveyer, or Sealer and Assayer, must never be put into the hands of any person that is a trader in these manufactures, but such a one as hath skill, and is no trader in these manufactures; for if he once be a trader, during the time he is Surveyer and Sealer, he will be his own carver, and then he will have a great temptation to be corrupt. I humbly beseech you Majesty to mark well this 10. head. 11. We find, upon several day's examination of this business, concerning the Regulation of these Manufactures, Mr. Thomas Violet, who is under sequestration, who formerly was Surveyer and Sealer in the late King's time, and hath prosecuted this business, for many years, to have a due Regulation of these manufactures, to be a person very active, and knowing in every part of the mystery of these manufactures. He hath presented unto us by proof, attested under several men's hands, the general abuse that was in London, in the deceitful making these manufactures, and selling them for good silver, when they were all course and adulterate; which caused the late King and his Council in 1635 to settle that Regulation. And we are all of opinion, that there is an absolute necessity, for the service and advantage of the Commonwealth, to prevent the frauds daily practised in the making these Manufactures, that such an office and Officer, for the sealing, marking, surveying, and assaying all the aforesaid Manufactures, be appointed, and settled for the time to come: and the said Officer to warrant these manufactures to the wearers, and Nation in general: and to put in good security in the Exchequer for doing the same, in the sum of fifteen hundred pounds, to have this course taken. We hold it very fit and necessary, for the prevention of all the aforesaid abuses, now put on this Commonwealth. And the undertaker ought to have all encouragement in this business, being a considerable service done to the Nation; most especially to such as wear gold and silver lace, All which we submit. 16. June, 1667. This is a true Copy of the several Votes of the Sub-Committee, to whom the Petition of Mr. Thomas Violet was referred. Which Votes were signed by Mr. Dunce, Mr. Moody, and Mr. Clark. John Martin Clark to the Committee for Trade. To the Right Honourable, the PARLIAMENT of England, etc. The humble Petition of Thomas Violet. Humbly Sheweth, THat your Petitioner represented the 1. April 1650. unto the Parliament then sitting, that daily great quantities of heavy currant Silver Coins of this Nation, were melted down for the making Gold and Silver Wyer, Lace, Thread, Ribbons, Spangles, etc. to the great waist of the stock of the Nation; by which evil practices many mischiefs, cheats, and damages are intruded upon this Commonwealth, which ought strictly to be prevented, and most especially in this conjuncture of time, having war● with Spain, and the springs of Silver which used to flow in to us by Trade, now stopped. That great quantities of Gold and Silver Thread, and Lace, is slightly, and unduly wrought, to the great deceit of those that wear the same, as your Petitioner hath proved in many particulars to the late Committee of Parliament for Trade, to whom that business was referred. And they upon many day's Examination, and full hearing of all parties, as by their Certificate of the Committee of Trade hereunto annexed, may more fully appear; have certified the daily great abuses by the false, and deceitful making Gold and Silver Thread and Wire, the wearers being daily cozened, both in putting into their Silver Thread a slight proportion of Silver to silk, whereas they should make good silver Thread to contain six ounces fine silver, and two ounces of silk to one pound Venice of Silver Thread, and five ounces fine silver, and three ounces of silk to the slightest Silver Thread, that aught to be made. Now great quantities of Gold and Silver Thread and Lace, is daily sold, which contains five ounces Silk, to three ounces Silver, and four ounces Silver to four ounces silk; and many times this Silver Lace is not only slightly and deceitfully made with a less proportion of silver to silk, than it ought to be, but also is made under sterling silver, being mixed with Copper, and the silk false and deceitfully died, which makes the Lace turn black and tarnish, and spoils the Garment of all persons that wear the same, assoon as any wet or air comes to the Lace. Your Petitioner (the last Parliament in June, anno 1657. produced Mr. Alexander Jackson, the sworn Assay-Master of Goldsmith's Hall, before the Committee for Trade, who being examined, confessed that at one time, in the compass of a few weeks, he made Assay of above one hundred several parcels of Gold and Silver Lace, Thread, Spangles, Wyer, which was bought up in several Shops in London, and brought to him by your Petitioner and others; all which silver Manufactures was sold for good Silver, and upon the Assays every several parsel was found course and adulterate, under the Standard, as is attested under the hand of Mr. Alexander Jackson sworn Assay-Master for the Company of Goldsmiths, which Certificate your Petitioner hath ready to be produced for your Honour's view. It is certified by the Committee of Trade 16. June 1657. that they find it affirmed to them by several Artists, that by the slight making of Gold and Silver Thread and Lace, there is above thirty thousand pounds a year wasted and spent in this Nation, which by a due regulation of enjoining all persons to put at least five ounces fine silver to the pound Venice, this Treasure would all be saved in the stock of this Nation, and the Lace will last four times as long, as it now doth, and not turn black, and the silver return all to the melting Pot; for great quantities of Silver Lace that is now sold, the buyers are cozened both in the fineness of the silver, being mixed with Copper under Sterling, or paying for silver when they buy silk heavy died, having many times a third part silk, more than ought to be put into the silver Thread, were it duly made, according to the former Rules 1635. to 1641. The late Sub-Committee for Trade, made so large a progress into this business, finding it to be of great concernment, spent many days to finish their Report, and have certified the several frauds practised in the making all these Manufactures of Gold and Silver Wyer, Thread, etc. And have set down Ways and Rules for the preventing the like abuses for the future. Your Petitioners most humble prayer is, that this High Court would be pleased to finish so good a work; and perfect the Regulation of this Manufacture for the future, and that a Law be made, that none of the currant silver Coins be hereafter melted for the making any of these Manufactures: that no Gold or Silver in Wyer or Lace, be put to sail under Sterling: that no Gold or Silver Thread, hold or contain less silver than five ounces silver to be at the least Sterling, upon severe penalties, besides the defacing of the Materials. And that your Petitioner be commanded by the Parliament, to see to the due Execution, and to receive such fees and allowances, as he is authorized to take by his Patent under the great Seal of England. And your Petitioner shall pray, etc. This pretended Parliament referred this Petition to a Committee, and shortly after were forced, and dissolved by the Army. The Rump Parliament succeeded them, and promised to reform these abuses, but did nothing but promise and delay. His MAJESTY returning for England, upon whose blessed arrival, your Petitioner made this following Petition, and had this gracious Reference to the Right Honourable the Lord's Commissioners of the Treasury: The original Petition is in the custody of Sir Philip Warwick, and follows, viz. TO THE KING'S Most Excellent MAJESTY, The humble Petition of Thomas Violet, of London, Goldsmith, Humbly showeth, THat your Petitioner being commanded by your Majesty's Royal Father, in 1643. to bring up his gracious letter to his City of London, directed to the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and all other his well affected Subjects of that City, which letter your Petitioner did bring up to London, and was for so doing, committed to the Tower, by order of Parliament, where he remained four years, and for 928 days of that time, kept close prisoner in a dismal place, little better than a Dungeon: in which time of confinement, your Petitioner expended above 700 l. and the Parliament sequestered your Petitioner of all his estate they could finger, to the value of 11000 l. and being taken out of all his employment, to his damage of above 20000 l. and could never obtain any part of his estate, to his total ruin, without your Majesty in your mercy relieve him. Your Petitioner prostrate at your Majesty's feet, presents to your Majesty, the great severity of your Petitioners sufferings, there never being the like sad precedent in the Nation, during all these distracted times, that a man for bringing up a letter of peace from his late Majesty of glorious memory, should be ruined for obeying his Majesty's commands; the only cause of your Petitioners sequestration and ruin being for so doing. That upon complaint made by several persons, that great quantities of the currant heavy silver coins and plate in this Nation is daily melted, and wasted, for the making of the manufacture of gold and silver thread, wire, and lace, to the great waste and destruction of the stock of heavy English money, and great quantities of gold and silver transported without licence. To prevent these abuses, your Majesty's Royal Father, by the advice of his Privy Counsel, did grant unto your Petitioner for three lives, and the longest liver of them, the 7th. day of September, in the 14th. year of his late Majesty's reign, a Patent under the great Seal of England, for the regulating the aforesaid abuses; and granted to them, and the longer liver of them, a Seal, being the Rose and Crown, with a prohibition to all persons, not to presume to counterfeit the same: Which Seal was for the feeling of all gold and silver thread, which they found upon Assay, Survey or Trial, to be made of good silver, with a due proportion of silver to silk. And your Petitioners had by Patent for two lives, four pence the pound weight Venice, for warranting all the aforesaid gold and silver thread to be good silver, at least Sterling, according to the Standard of this Nation. And thereupon being made up in skeynes, we were to put the aforesaid seal upon it: and by their aforesaid grant, we were upon the drawing and disgrossing of all gold and silver wire, for the making of spangles, oaes, purse, or gold and silver thread; upon the assaying of the said wire at the bar, we were to register the weight and fineness: and thereupon your Petitioner to receive one half penny an Ounce for all wire employed in any the aforesaid Manufactures; and your Petitioner was impowered to receive all duties imposed, laid, or to be laid upon any the said manufactures. Upon consideration of the said Fees, your Petitioner is bound in the Exchequer with good security in 1500 l. that all silver assayed, sealed, marked, or surveyed, as aforesaid, was to be fine silver, at the least as good as sterling: Whereas many years your Petitioner regulated this manufacture, and caused the same to be as exactly made, as the coin, or plate of this Nation, till these sad troubles, when the Parliament sequestered your Petitioner. And as in duty bound, your Petitioner shall pray for your Majesty's long health and happiness. Your Petitioners humble prayer is, That your Majesty would be pleased to recommond to the Parliament, or to your Majesty's Commissioners of your Treasury, the restraining of the melting of the currant silver coins of this Nation, for the making of any the aforesaid manufactures, and against transporting gold and silver, and for the due paying of the duties and fees, according to the afoaesaid Letters Patents: Which will prevent the abuses daily practised and committed: and these manufactures shall by your Petitioner for the future, be warranted to be good to the wearers, or to pay all damages to the parties grieved, according as your Petitioner covenanted in the said Letters Patents. And in regard of your Petitioners great sufferings and losses, for doing your Royal Majesties Father's service, as aforesaid; That your Majesty would be graciously pleased, by patent, to make your Petitioner one of your Majesty's Auditors for the impress, with the same fees as Auditor Beale and Auditor Bingly formerly received: or one of the Tellers of your Majesty's Exchequer, with the usual fees: or that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to appoint your Petitioner some Office in the Customhouse, or Excise; your Petitioner (by the blessing of God) and his own industry and experience, will improve your Majesty's revenue in the said Offices. At the Court at White-Hall, 27. June 1660. HIs Majesty being very sensible of the Petitioners Loyalty, and sufferings, is Graciously pleased to refer the Consideration and Examination of the Assertions in this Petition, to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, who are accordingly to inform and certify his Majesty what their Lordships conceive fit for his Majesty to do for relief of the Petitioner, as is desired: and then his Majesty will Declare his further Pleasure concerning the Petitioners humble request. ROB. MASON. This Original Petition and Reference is in the Hands of Sir Phil. Warwick. TO THE Right Honourable the Lord High Chancellor of England, the Lord High Treasurer of England, the Lord Privy Seal; the Lord Ashley Chancellor of the Exchequer being all of the Committee for removing the obstructions of the Mint. The humble Petition of Thomas Violet Goldsmith, May it please your Lordships, WHen I first left this aforesaid Petition with Sir Philip Warwick, I was commanded by some of your Lordships, to bring into the Lords of the Council a draught of a Proclamation against transporting of Gold and Silver, which I did, which begat a dispute at the Council of Trade, and a Certificate from them, for the Merchants to have free liberty to Export Gold and Silver without Licence, to have a free Market. Whereupon I thought myself bound by my Allegiance, considering how much it did import the honour, safety, and welfare of his Majesty, and the Lords of His Privy Council, who by the Law can only grant to the Merchants upon their Petition and just Reasons shown, leave to transport Gold and Silver out of the Kingdom; and I know the mischiefs which might come to the Kingdom, if this great trust were left to the Merchants. I did humbly (according to my best abilities) state the King's right, and His Privy Councils by the Law, to have the only liberty to dispense with the Statutes against transporting Gold and Silver; which Reasons was opposed by some Honourable Gentlemen of the Council of Trade, before his Majesty and His Privy Council. Sir George Downing and others, humbly pressing Arguments for to have that Royal Flower of the Crown, and to leave it free to the Merchants and others, to transport Gold and Silver. Your Petitioner being commanded by his Majesty to give Sir George Downing an answer, I was necessitated to make a further Reply; and his Majesty was graciously pleased not to part with so great a power and trust to any other, then as the Law had invested it, his Majesty and His Privy Council being solely the Judges to restrain, or licence the transporting Gold and Silver, according as they in their wisdoms thought fit. And since in the persuance of removing some obstructions in the Mint, his Majesty hath set forth three Proclamations, one against transporting Gold or Silver without leave from his Majesty; the other settling the Rule of the currant Gold Coin of this Kingdom; and the third decrying down after a certain Day, all Gold and Silver Coins that have been made in England since 1640. by any authority whomsoever, without his Majesties, and His Royal Father's Warrant and Proclamation to make them currant. I ever held it my duty to do the King's Majesty's business first, and when that was done, humbly to present that which hath relation to my particular interest; & having obeyed some of your Lordship's command; to give the Merchants a reason, why His Majesty could not trust them with the power to transport money, but with the inconvenience of the whole Kingdom in general. Having done the King's business, I now humbly come to your Honours to have the Execution of this aforesaid office, to Regulate Gold and Silver thread which I have granted unto me under the great Seal of England for two lives. May it please your Lordships, your Petitioner being entrusted with the Officers of his Majesty's Mint, and commanded by some of your Lordships to draw the draft of the Proclamation the 10. of June in the thirtenth year of his Majesty's Reign: He entreated the Officers of the Mint to speak with Mr. Attorney General, concerning the great abuses committed by the Corporation of Wiredrawers, in the adulterate, false, and slight making of Gold and Silver Lace. And so insert it into the Proclamation, that the King's Majesty, with the advice of his Privy Council, would take speady Order therein. The words are, Viz. That whereas there is daily a great consumption of the heavy currant Silver Coins of the Kingdom and Bullion, in the unlawful making Gold and Silver Wyer, Thread, Spangles, Oozes, Purls, and Lace of course Silver under Sterling; His Majesty doth intent in due time, to take such strict course, as shall reduce the makers of these Manufactures into such Order, that all the abuses formerly put on the Subjects, shall for the future be prevented, and these Manufactures of Gold and Silver duly regulated and assayed, according to the Laws of the Kingdom. May it please your Lordships, This Clause in his Majesty's Proclamation, gave the Alaram to some persons that are Wiredrawers, to engage some worthy Gentlemen to be instrumental to procure the Wiredrawers a Corporation from his sacred Majesty: and a draught of the Corporation being presented to the Wiredrawers by some persons, who do undertake to use their endeavours for to obtain a Corporation for them, the model presented was not liked by the Gold Wiredrawers: Therefore the Gentleman desires the Gold Wiredrawers, that they would alter the model of their Charter of Corporation as they pleased; and he would endeavour to get from his Majesty the Corporation according as the Wiredrawers would have it; for which the Gentleman covenants with the Wiredrawers to have from them one half penny the ounce for all Silver Wire employed to make Lace or Thread, &c, May it please your Lordships, this Gentleman that would be tampering to get a Corporation for the Gold Wiredrawers of London, doth not know the former passages and proceed in Parliament touching this very Trade, and the Workers, being Gold Wiredrawers. About the year 1618. one Sir John Michael, and Sir Giles Monpeople together with the then Attorney General, which I take it to be Attorney General Elverton, combined together, and for a some of money, procured the Gold Wiredrawers a Corporation by sinester information to King James, which Corporation was complained of the next Parliament as a great abuse, and cozenage of these Wiredrawers of the Kingdom, openly shown to the Prince, and Lords, in the House of Lords, and by Act of Parliament their Corporation was damned, Sir Giles Monpeople, Sir John Michael being sentenced by Parliament for this Corporation, the Attorney General hardly escaped: I humbly refer myself to the Records of Parliament; which may be a warning for any, to have a care what they do, in going about to get these Wiredrawers a Corporation, let them remember Sir Giles Monpeople. May it please your Lordships, your humble Petitioner hath his Majesty's Royal Fathers Grant under the great Seal of England, Dated the 7. of Sept. in the fourtenth year of his Majesty's Royal Father Reign, for two lives yet in being, his own life, and another, and the longer liver to warrant all these Manufactures to the wearers, and to receive one half penny the ounce upon all Wire Assayed or Sealed; and four pence the pound Venice for Gold or Silver Thread for sealing it, and warranting it to the wearers to be good, with a due proportion of Silver to Silk; which his Majesty's Royal Father gave to your Petitioner for two thousand pounds his Majesty owed your Petitioner, for all his service and charges in spending above two thousand pounds to cause the transporters of Gold and Silver to be fined in the Star Chamber, and sentenced by the Lords, such Persons and such Fines set upon them as followeth, 13. Caroli. in the Star-Chamber. viz, Charles Frank 5000 Robert Ellis 5000 Isaac Romeere 4000 Jacob Delew 1000 Roger Fletcher 1000 Rich. Cockrem 1000 John Parrot 3000 Peter Herne 3000 John Terry 3000 Timothy Eman 3000 Isaac Brames 1000 Henry Futter 500 Henry Sweeting 500 John Perrin 100 The total of the said Fines amount to the sum of 24100l. At this day there wants a high Court of Star Chamber, to punish the transporters of Gold and Silver, and some Goldsmiths that furnish them with gold. This sentence did this good in the City of London, that for seven years after, from 1635, to 1642. that the Merchants were afraid to transport Gold or Silver; and the Mint constantly was kept on work, till these late troubles that overturned all things. I shall humbly desire that your Lordship would be pleased to take notice, that though his Majesty by his Proclamation hath called upon Gold, a twenty shilling piece to go for 21 shillings 4 pence, and so ratably: yet some goldsmiths do take the houldness to give 21 shillings 8 pence, 21 shill. 9 pence, and 21 shillings 10 pence. And this Gold is bought up by the Sectaries, either to transport, or else to hoard up for some bad design: His Majesty and your Lordships had need to he vigilant over these fanatics, they are daily working & hatching, God grant this Ceckatrise be watched. Your Petitioners humble prayer is, that by your Lordship's Justice for his Majesty's service, this Manufacture be put under some strict Rule and Order, and that nothing may pass under your Lordship's hands that may prejudice your Petitioners Grant which he hath under the great Seal of England, for the regulateing the said Manufacture. 1. I have humbly to recommend to your Honour's great wisdom, the due consideration of these several following Heads, and humbly leave them at your Honour's feet; and though they may not please the Wiredrawers, yet I am sure they be for his Majesty's service. It is true, there is twenty thousand souls in London, live, and have dependence on this Manufacture, and that made King James and King Charles suffer this Manufacture to be made here. 2. My good Lords, it is worthy of consideration, the great damage his Majesty sustains in the loss of his Customs, the loss and prejudice of his Majesty's Mint, by suffering the Silver after it is imported into this Kingdom, to be made into Silver Lace, etc. to be diverted from Coin, which would pay a duty of coinage, and augment the stock of the Kingdom, which is now converted into this Manufacture: the value employed in Gold and Silver yearly, is about one hundred thousand pounds a year in Gold and Silver Lace, Wire, etc. which was it converted into Coin every year, and so passed between men, would drive a million for commodities a year in Trade, to the great improvement of the Kingdom by Commerce and Trade. 3. That upon calculation it will be found, the King in point of Customs and other Profits, loses above ten thousand pounds a year, by suffering this Manufacture to be made in England, as will appear upon calculation of his Majesty's Book of Rates of his Customs. 4. That at this day there is no Excise laid on this Commodity, which under favour, humbly submitting to your great wisdoms, is a Commodity may bear an Excise as well, and better, than almost any thing in the Kingdom: gold and silver Lace is a superfluity, and it is the wearers pays the Excise, not the Silkmen, Wiredrawers, or other Tradesmen: this Trade his Majesty doth allow in favour of the poor women Spinners, and other poor people, that are above twenty thousand souls, who only have their livelihood from this Manufacture, or else for the reasons aforesaid, it would not be allowed to be wrought in England. 5. Therefore my humble Petition to your Lordships is, in regard your Lordships are of the Committee for the removing the obstructions of the Mint, that your Lordships settle such an Excise on this Manufacture, at the least two pence the Ounce, being so much as his Majesty loseth in the coinage of the same, to be approved and confirmed by the Parliament, for and towards his Majesty's loss in His Customs, and in his Coinage, by suffering this Manufacture to be wrought in England. 6. That your Lordship would Order for the future, that no inferior persons, as Servants, Maids, and other mechanic People, shall wear gold or silver Lace, it being an abuse to persons of honour, men and women, to have mechanic People and Servants to wear Gold and Silver Lace. 7. That your Lordships would be pleased, for the service of his Majesty, and good of all the wearers of gold and silver Lace, which are the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom, to require the Company of Goldsmiths to consider of such ways and means as they can add, or alter, either out of the former Regulation settled by his Majesty 1635. or out of their own knowledge and experience by any other Way or Rules, and to use all speed they can therein. 8. The Company of Goldsmiths have declared to me before a Court of Assistants, that they know there is many abuses in this Trade, and if they be required from his Majesty, or your Lordships of the Privy Council, they would be very ready and willing, humbly to consider of such Ways for the prevention of these abuses for the future: and upon your Lordship's approbation ot alteration of what they shall propound, that those Orders and Rules agreed upon by your Honours for the Regulating of this Trade, may be recommended by his Majesty to be confirmed by Parliament, and this will be a certain way to prevent these abuses for the future, when the restraints and punishments shall be settled by Act of Parliament. And so as in duty bound, your Petitioner shall daily pray. THat after ages, and all true Englishmen may see the cruel oppression I suffered under, for being faithful to his sacred Majesty King Charles the first, for bringing up to London from Oxford to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, by his Majesty's especial command to me, 1643. this his Majesty's letter: which was, as followeth, To our Trusty and well-beloved, Our Lord Mayor and Aldermen of Our City of London, and all other our well affected Subjects of that Ctiy C. R. TRusty and well-beloved, We great you well. When we remember the many acts of grace and favour 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 degenerated 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 receive 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 we will not be always ready to give them any security 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 19 year of Our Reign. 26. De. 1643. By his Majesty's Command. George Digbie. Thomas Violet. POSTSCRIPT. LEt any true English man consider of this his Majesty's gracious Letter, and then remember the bloody Tragedies that followed, for the sins of the Kingdom; and every honest man will say, the swaying party in that Parliament in Jan. 1643. were great Tyrants and Oppressers, or else they would never have kept me in a Dungeon, in the Tower, 928 days, and plundered and rob me, to the value of eleven thousand pound, for bringing up this Letter from the King's Majesty from Oxford, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London: but he is well kept, that God keeps. So I have ever just cause to say: and praise God for my miraculous deliverance from those bloody men. Thomas Violet. FINIS.