COMMISSION FOR Greenwich Hospital.   

WILLIAM the Third, By the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To Our Dear Beloved Brother-in-Law Prince George, Hereditary of Denmark; The most Reverend Father in God, Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all England, and the Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being; Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councillor Sir John Summer Knight, Keeper of Our Great Seal of England, and Our Chancellor of England, keeper and Commissioners of Our Great Seal for the time being; Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and Councillor Thomas Duke of Leeds, Precedent of Our Privy Council, and the Precedent of Our Privy Council for the time being; Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Councillor Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, Keeper of Our Privy Seal, and the keeper of Our Privy Seal for the time being; Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousins and Councillors Henry Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England; William Duke of Devonshire, Steward of Our Household; Charles Duke of Bolton, Charles Duke of Shrewsbury, one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and William Duke of Bedford; Our Right Trusty and Entirely Beloved Counsins and Councillors John Marquis of Normanby, and Charles Pawlett Esquire, commonly called Marquis of Winchester; Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Counsins and Councillors, Robert Earl of Lindsey, Great Chamberlain of England, Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, Chamberlain of Our Household; Aubrey Earl of Oxford, John Earl of Bridgewater, Thomas Earl of Stamford, John Earl of Bath, Daniel Earl of Nottingham, Laurence Earl of Rochester, William Earl of Portland, Thomas Earl of Fauconberg, Charles Earl of Monmouth, Ralph Earl of Montague, Richard Earl of Scarborough, Francis Earl of Bradford, Henry Earl of Romney, Master of Our Ordnance, and the Master of Our Ordnance for the time being; Richard Earl of Ranelagh in Our Kingdom of Ireland, Paymaster of Our Forces; Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Cousin and Councillor Charles Lord Dursley, commonly called Viscount Dursley, Son and Heir Apparent of Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin George Earl of Berkley; The Right Reverend Father in God Henry Bishop of London, and the Bishop of that See for the time being; Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councillors Robert Lord Lexington, Charles Lord Cornwallis, Sidney Lord Godolphin, First Commissioner of Our Treasury; Henry Lord Capell, Thomas Lord Coningsby in Our Kingdom of Ireland, Charles Montague Esquire, one of the Commissioners of Our Treasury, Chancellor and under-treasurer of Our Exthequer, and the Chancellor and under-treasurer of Our Exchequer for the time being; Sir John Trevor Knight, Speaker of Our House of Commons, and Master of Our Rolls, and the Master of Our Rolls for the time being; Sir Robert Howard Knight, Auditor of the Receipt of Our Exchequer; Thomas Wharton Esquire, controller of Our Household; Sir John Trenchard Knight, Our Principal Secretary of State, and Our Principal Secretary of State for the time being; Sir John Holt Knight, Chief Justice Assigned to hold Pleas before Us, and the Chief justice to be Assigned to hold Pleas before Us for the time being; Sir John Louther Baronet, Sir Henry Goodrick Knight and Baronet, Lieutenant General of Our Ordnance; Edward Russell Esquire, First Commissioner of Our Admiralty, Treasurer of Our Navy, and Admiral of Our Navy Royal; Richard Hampden and Hugh Buscowen Esquires; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Stephen Fox Knight, one other of the Commissioners of Our Treasury; Sir William Trumball Knight, one other of the Commissioners of Our Treasury; John Smith Esquire, one other of the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and the Treasurer of England; Treasurer of Our Exchequer, and Commissioners of Our Treasury for the time being; Sir John Louther of Whithaven Baronet; Henry Priestman Esquire, Robert Austin Esquire, Sir Robert Rich Knight and Baronet, Sir George Rook and Sir John Houblon Knights, which Six last named are also Commissioners of Our Admiralty, and the High Admiral of England, or the Commissioners for Executing the Office of High Admiral of England for the time being; Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousins William Earl of Craven, Charles Bodvile Earl of Radnor, George Earl of Berkley, and Arthur Earl of Torrington, Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir William Gregory Knight, Sir Gyles Eyre Knight, and Sir Samuel Eyre Knight, justices Assigned to hold Pleas before Us, and the justices to be Assigned to hold Pleas before Us for the time being; Sir George Treby Knight, Chief justice of Our Court of Common Pleas; Sir Edward Nevil Knight, Sir Thomas Rokeby Knight, and Sir John powel Knight, justices of Our Court of Common Pleas, and the Chief justice and justices of the same Court for the time being; Sir Nicholas Letchmore Knight, Sir John Turton Knight, Sir John powel Knight, Batons, and George Bradbury Cursitor Baron of Our Court of Exchequer, and the Chief Baron, Barons of the Coif, and Cursitor Baron of Our Court of Exchequer for the time being; The most Reverend Father in God John Archbishop of York, Primate and Metropolitan of England, and the Archbishop of York for the time being; The Right Reverend Father in God Nathaniel Bishop of Duresme, Peter Bishop of Winchester, William Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, William Bishop of Landaffe, Edward Bishop of St. Asaph, Thomas Bishop of Rochester, Thomas Bishop of Carlisle, Jonathan Bishop of Exon, Thomas Bishop of St. David's, Gilbert Bishop of Sarum, Humphrey Bishop of Bangor, Edward Bishop of Worcester, Simon Bishop of Ely, Gilbert Bishop of Hereford, Nicholas Bishop of Chester, John Bishop of Oxford, John Bishop of Norwich, Richard Bishop of Peterborough, Edward Bishop of Gloucester, Robert Bishop of Chichester, Richard Bishop of Bath and Wells, John Bishop of Bristol, and James Bishop of Lincoln, and the several Bishops of the same Seés for the time being; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Edward Ward Knight, Our Attorney General; Sir Thomas Trevor Knight, Our Solicitor General; Samuel Travers Esquire, Surveyor General of Our Lands; Sir Christopher Wrenn Knight, Surveyor General of Our Works; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Thomas Lane Knight, Mayor of Our City of London, and the Mayor of the same City for the time being; Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Patience Ward, Sir John Moor, Sir William Pritchard, Sir Robert Jeffery, Sir Thomas Stamp, Sir John Fleet, Sir William Ashhurst, Sir Jonathan Raymond, Sir Peter Daniel, Sir Samuel Dashwood, Sir Thomas Kinsey, Sir John Parsons, Sir Edward Clark, Sir Humphrey Edwin, Sir Francis Child, Sir Richard Levett, Sir William Gore, Sir Thomas Cook, Sir James Houblon, Sir Thomas Abney, Sir William Hedges, Knights, Thomas Darwin and Joseph Smart Esquires, Aldermen of Our City of London, and all and every the Aldermen of the same City for the time being; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Edmond Bowyer of Camberwell Esquire, Michael Godfrey Esquire, Sir Leonard Robinson Knight, Chamberlain of London; Sir John Morden, Sir John Banks, Sir Josiah Child, Sir Peter Vandeput, Sir William Russell, Sir Jeremy Sambrook, Sir Gabriel Roberts, Sir John Foche, Sir Henry Furnes, Sir William Scawen, Sir Joseph Herne Knights, Sir Richard Onslow Baronet, John Lock, Gilbert Heathcott, and Arthur Shallott Esquires, Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Richard Haddock, Sir Cloudsley shovel Knights, Edmund Dummer, Charles Sergison, Samuel Pett, Thomas Wilshaw, Dennis Liddall, Benjamin Tinewell Esquires, Principal Officers of Our Navy, and the Principal Officers in the nature of Commissioners of Our Navy for the time being, and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Charles Hedges Knight, judge of Our Supreme Court of Admiralty, Henry Guy Esquire, Thomas Papillon Esquire, Thomas Western Esquire, Charles Duncomb Esquire, Peter Houblon Esquire, Edmund Bolter Esquire, Thomas Firmin, and William Lowndes Gent. Our Trusty and Well-beloved John Hill, EsQ; Master and Assistant of Trinity House of Deptford Strand, Captain Samuel Rutter, Captain John Bowers, Captain John Conaway, Captain Roger Paxton, Captain John Benbow, Sir Matthew Andrews, Captain John nichols, Captain Ralph Sanderson, Robert Lord Lucas, Sir Henry Sheer Knight, James Southern Esquire, Captain Robert Fisher, Captain George Phenny, Captain Samuel Atkinson, Captain Henry Greenhill, Captain Henry Risby, Captain Balthasar St. Mitchell, Captain Humphrey Ails, Captain John Jacob, Captain William Cruft, Captain William Gutteridge, Captain John Hazelwood, and the Master and all and every the Wardens, Assistants and Elder Brethren of Trinity House of Deptford Strand for the time being, Greéting.  
Whereas We are extremely desirous that the Trade, Navigation and Naval Strength of this Our Realm of England (whereupon the Safety and Flourishing State thereof does so much depend) should by all Proper Means be Promoted and Advanced. And whereas We are persuaded that nothing will more effectually Contribute thereto, than the Endeavouring, by due and fitting Encouragements, to increase the Number of English Seamen, as well for the Strengthening of Our Navy Royal, and better Performing the Naval Services of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, as for the Supplying and Carrying on the Occasions and Business of Our Merchants, and other Our Loving Subjects, Interested in Trade, Commerce, Fishing, Plantation, Discovery, and other Affairs relating to Navigation. And whereas the Sea-fairing Men of this Kingdom, have for a long time Distinguished themselves throughout the World by their Industry and Skilfulness in their proper Employments, and by their Courage and Constancy, manifested in Engagements and Hazards, for the Defence and Honour of their Native Country; and nothing is more likely to continue this their Ancient Reputation, and to invite greater Numbers of Our Subjects to betake themselves to the Sea, than the making some Competent Provision, That Seamen, who by Age, Wounds or other Accidents, shall become Disabled for further Service at Sea, and shall not be in a Condition to maintain themselves Comfortably, may not fall under Hardships and Miseries, but may be Supported at the Public Charge: And that the Children of such Disabled Seamen, and also the Widows and Children of such Seamen as shall happen to be Slain in Sea-Service, may in some Reasonable Manner be Provided for and Educated. And whereas having frequently Reflected upon the Premises since Our Accession to the Crown, We have Determined with Ourselves, to Erect and Establish a Hospital for the Purposes aforesaid. And although by reason of the Expensive War in which We have been, and are at present Engaged, We have not been able to Carry on the said Good and Pious Purposes, to such Effect as We have desired: Yet in order to begin to put the same in Execution, We and Our late most Dear Consort the Queéns, did by Our Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England, bearing Date the Twenty fifth of October last passed, Give and Grant unto you the said Sir John Summer, Thomas Duke of Leeds, Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, Charles Duke of Shrewsbury, Sidney Lord Godolphin, Sir John Trenchard, Edward Russell, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir John Louther of Whithaven, Sir William Ashhurst, Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Patience Ward, Sir John Moor, and Sir William Pritchard, and to your Heirs and Assigns for ever, all that Piece or Parcel of Ground, Scituate, Lying and Being within the Parish of East-Greenwich, in Our County of Kent, and being Parcel, or reputed Parcel of Our Manor of East-Greenwich aforesaid, containing in the whole by Admeasurement, Eight Acres, Two Roods, and Thirty two Square Perches, be the same more or less, as the said Ground is now Marked, Staked or otherwise Set out, in which Admeasurement, the Ground is Signed for a Way or Passage to lead through the Premises, and therein mentioned to be excepted, is comprehended and reckoned, which said Piece or Parcel of Ground is Butted and Bounded, as in the said Letters Patents is expressed; And all that Capital Message lately built or in building by Our Royal Uncle King Charles the Second, and still remaining unfinished, commonly called by the Name of Our Palace at Greenwich, standing upon the Piece or Parcel of Ground aforesaid, and several other Edifices and Buildings, and other things in the said Letters Patents mentioned, except as therein is excepted; To the intent nevertheless that the aforesaid Premises, and every part thereof, shall be Converted and Employed unto and for the Use and Service of Our Hospital for the Relief of Seamen, their Widows and Children, and Encouragement of Navigation in such manner as is therein expressed, and as by the Letters Patents aforesaid, (relation being thereunto had) may more fully appear. And as We are fully Satisfied, that the Execting of such an Hospital, as aforesaid, will be of Great Benefit and Advantage to this Our Kingdom; so also taking into Our Royal Consideration, that the Constituting and Establishing a Foundation of that Nature, and the Framing of Rules and Statutes for the Government thereof, in such a Manner as may best Answer what is thereby Intended and Designed, is a Matter of Great Difficulty, and such as does require Mature Deliveration and Advice; know ye therefore that We Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your known Discretions, Abilities and Integrities, Have Nominated, Authorized and Constituted, and do by these Presents, Nominate, Authorise and Appoint you the said Prince George Hereditary of Denmark, Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being; Sir John Summer, and Our Chancellor of England, Keeper and Commissioners of Our Great Seal for the time being; Thomas Duke of Leeds, and the Precedent of Our Privy Council for the time being; Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, and the Keeper of Our Privy Seal for the time being; Henry Duke of Norfolk, William Duke of Devonshire, Charles Duke of Bolton, Charles Duke of Shrewsbury, and William Duke of Bedford, John Marquis of Normanby, and Charles Pawlett Esquire, commonly called Marquis of Winchester; Robert Earl of Lindsey, Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, Aubrey Earl of Oxford, John Earl of Bridgewater, Thomas Earl of Stamford, John Earl of Bath, Daniel Earl of Nottingham, Laurence Earl of Rochester, William Earl of Portland, Thomas Earl of Fauconberg, Charles Earl of Monmouth, Ralph Earl of Montague, Richard Earl of Scarborough, Francis Earl of Bradford, Henry Earl of Romney, and the Master of Our Ordnance for the time being; Richard Earl of Ranelagh, Charles Lord Dursley, commonly called Viscount Dursley, Henry Bishop of London, and the Bishop of that See for the time being; Robert Lord Lexington, Charles Lord Cornwallis, Sidney Lord Godolphin, Henry Lord Capell, Thomas Lord Coningsby, Charles Montague, and the Chancellor and under-treasurer of Our Exchequer for the time being; Sir John Trevor, and the Master of Our Rolls for the time being; Sir Robert Howard, Thomas Wharton, Sir John Trenchard, and Our Principal Secretaries of State for the time being; Sir John Holt, and the Chief justice to be Assigned to hold Pleas before Us for the time being; Sir John Louther of Louther, Sir Henry Goodrick, Edward Russell, Richard Hampden, Hugh Buscowen, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir William Trumball, John Smith, and the Treasurer of England, Treasurer of Our Exchequer, and Commissioners of Our Treasury for the time being; Sir John Louther of Whithaven, Henry Priestman, Robert Austin, Sir Robert Rich, Sir George Rook, Sir John Houblon, and the High Admiral of England, or the Commissioners for Executing the Office of High Admiral of England for the time being; William Earl of Craven, Charles Bodvile Earl of Radnor, George Earl of Berkley, and Arthur Earl of Torrington, Sir William Gregory, Sir Gyles Eyre and Samuel Eyre, and the justices to be Assigned to hold Pleas before Us for the time being; Sir George Treby, Sir Edward Nevil, Sir Thomas Rokeby and Sir John powel, and the Chief justice and justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the time being; Sir Nicholas Lechmere, Sir John Turton, Sir John powel, and George Bradbury, and the Chief Baron, Barons of the Coif, and Cursitor Baron of Our Court of Exchequer for the time being; John Archbishop of York, and the Archbishop of York for the time being; Nathaniel Bishop of Duresme, Peter Bishop of Winchester, William Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, William Bishop of Landaffe, Edward Bishop of St. Asaph, Thomas Bishop of Rochester, Thomas Bishop of Carlisle, Jonathan Bishop of Exon, Thomas Bishop of St. David's, Gilbert Bishop of Sarum, Humphrey Bishop of Bangor, Edward Bishop of Worcester, Simon Bishop of Ely, Gilbert Bishop of Hereford, Nicholas Bishop of Chester, John Bishop of Oxford, John Bishop of Norwich, Richard Bishop of Peterborough, Edward Bishop of Gloucester, Robert Bishop of Chichester, Richard Bishop of Bath and Wells, John Bishop of Bristol, and James Bishop of Lincoln, and the several Bishops of the same Seés for the time being; Sir Edward Ward, Sir Thomas Trevor, Samuel Travers, Sir Christopher Wrenn, Sir Thomas Lane, and the Mayor of Our City of London for the time being; Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Patience Ward, Sir John Moor, Sir William Pritchard, Sir Robert Jeffery, Sir Thomas Stamp, Sir John Fleet, Sir William Ashhurst, Sir Jonathan Raymond, Sir Peter Daniel, Sir Samuel Dashwood, Sir Thomas Kinsey, Sir John Parsons, Sir Edward Clark, Sir Humphrey Edwin, Sir Francis Child, Sir Richard Levett, Sir William Gore, Sir Thomas Cook, Sir James Houblon, Sir Thomas Abney, Sir William Hedges, Thomas Darwin and Joseph Smart, and all and every the Aldermen of the same City for the time being; Edmund Bowyer, Michael Godfrey, Sir Leonard Robinson, Sir John Morden, Sir John Banks, Sir Josiah Child, Sir Peter Vandeput, Sir William Russell, Sir Jeremy Sambrook, Sir Gabriel Roberts, Sir John Foche, Sir Henry Furnes, Sir William Scawen, Sir Joseph Horn, Sir Richard Onslow Baronet, John Lock, Gilbert Heathcott, and Arthur Shallott Esquires; Sir Richard Haddock, Sir Cloudsley shovel, Edmund Dummer, Charles Sergison, Samuel Pett, Thomas Wilshaw, Dennis Liddall, Benjamin Tinewell, and the Principal Officers in the nature of Commissioners of Our Navy for the time being; Sir Charles Hedges, Henry Guy, Thomas Papillon, Thomas Western, Charles Duncomb, Peter Houblon, Edmund Bolter, Thomas Firmin, and William Lowndes, John Hill, Captain Samuel Rutter, Captain John Bowyers, Captain John Conaway, Captain Roger Paxton, Captain John Benbow, Sir Matthew Andrews, Captain John nichols, Captain Ralph Sanderson, Robert Lord Lucas, Sir Henry Shere, James Southern, Captain Robert Fisher, Captain George Phenney, Captain Samuel Atkinson, Captain Henry Greenhill, Captain Henry Risby, Captain Balthasar St. Mitchell, Captain Humphrey Ails, Captain John Jacob, Captain William Cruft, Captain William Gutteridge, Captain John Hazelwood, and the Master and all and every the Wardens, Assistants and Elder Brethren of Trinity House of Deptford Strand for the time being, to be Our Commissioners for the Purposes herein after mentioned. And to the end that Our Royal Purpose and Intention herein may the better take Effect, Our Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby Order, Direct and Appoint, That you do, from time to time, Meét together at some Convenient Place for the Execution of this Our Commission, and that at your first or some other Subsequent Meéting or Meétings, so many of you as shall be then present, of whom any one or more of you being of Our Privy Council, and any one or more of you the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and any one or more of you the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Our High Admiral of England for the time being, to be Threé at the least, do consider of such Proper and Fit Methods as you shall judge most Expedient to be Observed in Executing the same. And We do also by these Presents Authorise and Empower you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, of whom any one or more of you Our Privy Councillors, and any one or more of you the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and any one or more of you the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Our High Admiral of England for the time being, to be Threé at the least, to call to your Aid and Assistance, such Persons as you shall think fit to Assist and Advise you in the Due and Effectual Execution of this Our Commission, and out of your own Number, as often as you shall judge it Expedient, to Appoint and Constitute such and so many Sub-Committeés for the better Managing and Carrying on Our said Purpose and Intention in this Our Commission, and to Invest them with such Powers as you shall think fit to intrust them with, pursuant to the Powers hereby given to yourselves, and to Revoke or make Void the same, and Revive and make a New the said Sub-Committeés so often as you shall think neédful, as aforesaid. And We do by these presents Authorise and Require you our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, of whom any one or more of you Our Privy Councillors, and any one or more of you the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and any one or more of you the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Our High Admiral of England for the time being, to be Threé at the least, calling to your Assistance Our Surveyor General of Our Works, and also such other Artists and Persons as you shall think fit, to consider what part, and how much of the Structures and Buildings now standing upon the Pieces or Parcels of Ground contained in Our Grant above mentioned, will be unfit or not serviceable for the Hospital hereby intended to be exect, and in what manner such of the present Structures as you shall think fit to stand may best be Altered, Fitted and Prepared for the Use and Service of the said Hospital, in Order to Represent the same to Us with all convenient speéd. And We do also Authorise and Require you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, of whom Three or more, to be such as aforesaid, forthwith, according to the best of your judgements and Discretions, to prepare One or more Model or Models of such Buildings, Works, Erections and Conveniencies, as you shall think most fit and proper to be Erected and Made, in and upon the Premises by Us Granted, as aforesaid, for the Use of the said intended Hospital, with such Schemes or Draughts as may best Explain the same, and with all convenient Speed to present such Model or Models to Us for Our Royal Approvation. And We do further hereby Authorise and Empower you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, of whom Three or more, to be such, as aforesaid, Calling to your Assistance Our Attorney or Solicitor General, or any other of Our Council Learned in the Law for the time being, or such others as you shall think meet, to Consider of, and Prepare a Charter or Charters of Foundation of such Hospital, and also such Statutes, Constitutions, Orders and Ordinances as may be Proper for the Foundation, Perpetual Management, Order, Rule and good Government of the same, and of the Poor People, Officers, Servants and others that shall be entertained in and about the same, and for and concerning all other Matters and things relating thereto, and to present the same to Us for Our Royal Consideration. And whereas the Great and Earnest Desire which We have to set about so Good and Pious a Work hath Engaged Us to begin the same at this time, although by Reason of the present Necessity of Our Affairs, We cannot Advance so considerable Sums, for the beginning and Carrying on the said Works, as We do Desire and Intent, and by God's Blessing in times of Peace shall be enabled to do: Yet nevertheless, as a further Instance of Our Princely Zeal for Advancing the said Design, We have Resolved and Determined, and do hereby Declare and make Known, That from henceforth We will yearly cause to be Issued and Paid out of Our Treasure, at and upon the Feast of the Birth of our Lord Christ, in every Year, or at such other time in every Year as shall be desired by Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of them, the Sum of Two thousand Pounds, for and towards the Edifying, Perfecting and Endowing the said Hospital. And to that end, We do hereby, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Require the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and under-treasurer of Our Exchequer now being, and the Treasurer of Our Exchequer, and Commissioners of the Treasury, and under-treasurer of the Exchequer, of Us, Our Heirs or Successors for the time being, without any further or other Warrant to be had or obtained from Us, Our Heirs or Successors in that behalf, from time to time, to direct their Warrants or Orders for the Payment of the said yearly Sum of Two thousand Pounds, as aforesaid, out of such of Our Treasure of Us, Our Heirs or Successors, as shall not be Appropriated to other Uses, to the said Treasurer for the said Hospital hereby Appointed, or to such other Treasurer or Treasurers as shall be Appointed, as herein after is Directed, at the said Feast of the Birth of Our Lord Christ in every Year, or at such other times in every Year as shall be desired by Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of them, as aforesaid, during the Continuance of this Our Commission. And having no Doubt but that Great Numbers of Our good Subjects will be disposed to follow Our Example, and will, with great Cheerfulness and Readiness, Contribute to the Advancing so Charitable a Design, which, besides the Relief of so many Poor Disabled and Necessitous Persons, will prove of Great Advantage to the Kingdom, in the increasing the Navigation and Naval Strength thereof, by Encouraging Fit Persons to betake themselves to Sea-Service as soon as Our Royal Intentions in the Premises shall be made known, and that their Assisting Us in the Building and Endowing the said Hospital will be most Highly Acceptable to Us; We do by these Presents Authorise and Empower you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, and We do by these Presents Give and Grant to you, or any Seven or more of you, full Power and Authority to Take and Receive from such of Our good Subjects, as shall be Piously Disposed to Contribute towards the Erecting and Endowing of the said Hospital, all such Voluntary Gifts or Subscriptions of or for any Sum or Sums of Money, Goods or Chattels, or of or for any Estate or Interest in any Manors, Lands, Tenements, Rents, Hereditaments, or other Matters or Things whatsoever, which any Person or Persons shall be willing to Give, Limit, Appoint or Bestow for or towards the Building, Furnishing or Endowing of the Hospital aforesaid, and for causing to be Collected and Received whatsoever shall be Given, Contributed, Bequeathed, Designed or Appointed for that Use, by the Hands of the Treasurer that shall be hereafter Appointed to Receive the same. And to the end that Our Intentions in the Premises may be better known to Our Loving Subjects, We do Require you to cause Public Notification of these Presents, or the Tenor or Scope thereof, to be made in such Places, or by such Ways and Means, as you shall think most Conducible to the Furtherance of the said Charity. And We do also by these Presents Authorise and Empower you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, of whom any one or more of you Our Privy Councillors, and any one or more of you the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and any one or more of you the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Our High Admiral of England for the time being, to be Threé at the least, in case you shall find the same to be necessary for Carrying on the Design and Intention of this Our Commission, by Instruments or Writings under your Hands and Seals, to Depute and Substitute such Persons as you shall think fit to Intrust to take such Subscriptions, as aforesaid, and to Collect or Bring in the Moneys which shall be Contributed, Bequeathed, Designed or Appointed for the Uses aforesaid, to the Hands of the Treasurer or Receiver General hereafter Appointed, and to Displace or Discharge such Substitutes or Deputies, or any of them, and to Appoint others in the Place of them or any of them, from time to time, as you shall see cause, and to Settle, Establish and Appoint such Cheques, Comptrols and Orders, as you shall think necessary or safe, for the full and due Charging of the Treasurer and Receiver General, and also the said Deputies, Substitutes and all and every other Person and Persons whatsoever, who shall Receive, or be Chargeable with any Moneys or other Profits for the said Charitable Use or Purpose, to Answer, Pay or Account for the same. And that you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, from time to time, as often as you, or any Seven of you, shall Suspect or Doubt of any Concealment, Fraud, or any Deceitful or Indirect Practice in reference to any Moneys, or other things Subscribed, Contributed, Given, Bequeathed, or Appointed to the said Use, shall and may inquire thereof by the Examination of Witnesses upon Oath (which you have hereby Power to Administer) or by any other Lawful Ways and Means, whereby the truth of the Matter in all such Cases may best be Known, and to proceed thereupon with Effect. And Our Pleasure is, and We do hereby Require and Command, That you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you do, from time to time, Certify to the Commissioners of Our Treasury now being, or to the Treasurer or Commissioners of Our Treasury for the time being, the Names of the Persons, Societies, Bodies Politic or Corporate, who shall Subscribe or Contribute, Give, Devise or Appoint any Moneys, or any Real Estate, or other Matters or Things towards this Charitable Design, with the Sums of Money, Goods, Chattels, Estates, or other things by them respectively Contributed, Given, Limited, Appointed or Devised, to the end a Perpetual Memorial may be made of such Well-disposed Persons, who shall become Benefactors, as aforesaid, and whereby the Treasurer or Receiver General may be Charged with more certainty in his Accounts. And in regard We do Confide very much in the Ability and Faithfulness of Our Trusty and Well-beloved John Evelyn signior Esquire; We have Nominated, Assigned and Appointed, and We do hereby Nominate, Assign and Appoint him the said John Evelyn signior, to be the Treasurer and Receiver General of all the Moneys, and other Profits which shall be Subscribed, Contributed, Given, Bequeathed, Devised, Designed or Appointed, to or for the Building, Furnishing or Endowing of the said Hospital, or for any Matter or Thing Relating thereunto, to continue in that Trust during Our Pleasure. And in Case of his Death or Removal, We do hereby give full Power and Authority to you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, whereof any one or more of you Our Privy Councillors, and any one or more of you the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and any one or more of you the Commissioners for Executing the Office of High Admiral of England for the time being, to be Threé at the least, from time to time, to Appoint one or more fit Person or Persons to the said Place or Trust of Treasurer and Receiver General; and such Person or Persons, from time to time, to Remove or Displace as you shall see Cause. And Our Pleasure is, That the Treasurer or Receiver General for the time being, shall have full Power and Authority, and he is hereby fully Authorized, from time to time, upon the Receipt or Receipts of any Sum or Sums of Money, or other Profits for the Purposes aforesaid, or any of them, to give an Acquittance or Acquittances for the same, which shall be good and sufficient Discharges to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever. And the said Treasurer or Receiver General for the time being, in his Receipts, Payments and Accounts, shall be subject to such Inspection, Examination and Comptrol, as you or any Seven or more of you, whereof such as are before Appointed for a Special Quorum to be Three at the least, shall Establish or Appoint. And We do hereby, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Strictly Command, Enjoin and Require, That none of the Moneys or other things which shall be Given, Contributed, Devised, Bequeathed, Designed or Appointed, as aforesaid, shall be Diverted, Issued or Applied, or be in any wise Applicable to any Use or Purpose whatsoever, other then to the Charitable Purposes before mentioned, or some of them, or to Defray necessary Charges relating thereunto. And to the end that the Building and Fitting of the said Hospital may be Carried on with as much speed as is possible, We do by these Presents give full Power and Authority to you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, of which any one or more of you Our Privy Councillors, or any one or more of you the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and any one or more of you the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Our High Admiral of England for the time being, to be Three at the least, when, and as soon after as We shall have Approved under Our Sign Manual, your Report or Certificate in that behalf, to take down and demolish, or cause to be taken down and demolished so much of the Buildings and Structures now standing upon the Ground by Us Granted, as aforesaid, as shall be judged, as aforesaid, to be unfit and not Serviceable for the Use of the said Hospital hereby intended, as also to Convert, Altar and Fit such of the present Structures as shall be Appointed to stand, as aforesaid, in such Manner as shall be Appointed, as aforesaid; And also from and after such time as We shall have Approved and Allowed of such Model or Models as you shall have presented, as aforesaid, under Our Sign Manual, or otherwise shall have Allowed or Approved of any Model, Scheme or Design, for Building, Fitting or Furnishing the said Hospital, to put in Hand, Carry on, and Finish, with such Convenient Speed as the nature of the thing, and such Moneys as shall be in the Hands of the said Treasurer or Receiver, will admit, the Buildings and Structures of the said Hospital, and of all the Offices and Conveniencies belonging thereto, and to Furnish the same accordingly: In the doing of which, you are to pursue such Models, Orders and Directions as shall be Approved or Appointed by Us, under Our Sign Manual, as aforesaid. And Our Pleasure is, That you shall Proceed in the said Works in such Order and Method, and by such Ways and Means, and according to such Rules and Orders as to you shall seem best; And that you shall call to your Aid and Assistance such Skilful Artists, Officers and Workmen as you shall think fit, and to Appoint to them severally their respective Charge or Business; And that you Our said Commissioners, or any Seven or more of you, whereof any one or more of you Our Privy Councillors, and one or more of you the Commissioners of Our Treasury, and any one or more of you the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Our High Admiral of England for the time being, to be Threé at the least, shall, by Warrants in Writing, Direct the Issuing, Payment, Allowances and Expenditure of the Moneys or Profits to be Contributed, Given, Bequeathed, Devised or Appointed, as aforesaid, to buy or pay for Timber, Brick, Stone or other Materials, and for Furnishing the said Hospital with Beds and other Necessaries and Conveniencies, and to Pay Necessary and Reasonable Salaries, Wages and Rewards to the said Artists, Officers and Workmen which shall be Employed in the Building, as aforesaid, and to Reward those who shall be necessarily Employed in Bringing in, Receiving, Paying or Accounting for the Moneys of the said Contributions, and to Defray all other Charges and Expenses Incident to the Execution of this Our Commission, or any Part thereof, in such Proportions, Manner and Form, as you shall, from time to time, judge Reasonable and Meét. And that you or such of you as are last mentioned, shall and do Consider, Advise, Agree upon and Set down Particular Orders and Instructions, as well for the safe Keeping of the Money, from time to time, to be brought into the Treasury, and of the Materials and Provisions, from time to time, to be brought into the Stores, as for the Faithful and Frugal Issuing out, and Disposing of the same for the Public Use intended, and none other; And to Direct and Appoint by whom, and in what manner, the Books and Accounts of both shall be, from time to time, Kept, controlled, Audited and Allowed, and out of your own Number, and such other Persons of known Integrity and Ability, as you shall Choose, from time to time, and as often as you shall judge it Expedient to Appoint, Constitute and Make such and so many Sub-committees as you shall think meet, for the better Managing and Carrying on of the said Works, and to Invest them with Power to make Contracts, and to do any other Matters or Things, which you shall think fit to Entrust them with, Pursuant to the Power hereby given to yourselves, and to Revoke and make Void the same, and to Revive and make New the said Sub-committees, or any other, when and as often as you shall find it needful: And you or such of you as are last mentioned, are to Advise, Treat, Consider and Determine of all other Matters, Ways and Means, for the Advancement of this Useful and Necessary Design, and to put the same in Execution, till the said Hospital shall be Completely Built, Finished and Furnished with all Things necessary thereunto. And further, We do, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Declare and Grant to you Our said Commissioners, and every of you, That you Our said Commissioners, and every of you, shall be only Accountable and Answerable to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, for your own respective Receipts, Actings or Do, and not for the Receipts, Actings or Do of one another, or of the Treasurer hereby Appointed or to be Appointed. Provided always, and Our Pleasure is, and We do hereby Direct, Grant and Appoint, That the said John Evelyn, hereby Appointed to be the Treasurer and Receiver General, as aforesaid, shall and may, during his Continuance in that Trust, for his Pains and Service in the Execution thereof, Have, Receive, Retain and Keep out of the Moneys that shall from time to time be in his Hands by Virtue or Means of his Receipt, the Yearly Salary or Allowance of Two hundred Pounds of Lawful English Money, at the Four most usual Feasts in the Year, by equal Portions, to Commence from the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, One thousand six hundred ninety five, and to be from time to time Allowed upon his Accounts; any thing herein Contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And these Our Letters Patents, or the Entry, Exemplification, or enrolment thereof, shall be to you, and every of you, and all others herein Concerned, a sufficient Warrant on this behalf: In Witness whereof We have Caused these Our Letters to be made Patents.  
Witness Ourselves at Westminster the Twelfth Day of March, in the Seventh Year of Our Reign. Per Breve de Privato Sigillo. CHUTE.   

LONDON, Printed by Charles Bill, and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb, deceased; Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1695.