To the Honourable the Commons of England in Parliament Assembled: Is humbly Represented to You a short View, or Abstract of several Letters, which I happened to look over, some time since; which Letters were sent from John Dutton Colt Esq late Collector of His Majesty's Customs of this Port of Bristol, Directed to Daniel Ballard his Clerk, than Manager of that Revenue in his Absence. WHICH Letters consist of his being Concerned in Trade and Shipping, contrary to Act of Parliament, and the diligent Care he took in disposing of the Narrow and Clipped Money, whether for the Interest of the Government, or his own, Your Honours will be the best Judges. December the 4th, 1693. A Receipt for 10 l. towards paying a Second Expense for the Ship Betty Privateer, Received by Capt. Earl, of Daniel Ballard, upon Account of the forementioned Collector. The 7th of December, 1693. As to the Betty Privateer, you must pay my Share till she can Sayl. Another of the same Month. I am glad the Privateer is Sailed. February the 24th 91/4. Let me hear how things go on: I am sorry there is any Loss at the Glass-House, but that must be as well as others: I should be glad to hear you had Custom enough for your Bottles; the Betty Privateer got well and quick. April the 10th, 1694. Go to Capt. Earl; give him my Service, and desire to know what he hath done for the Owners towards defraying of our Great Charge. I desire to know what he hath done: I hope some good for Us, which I desire to know, and what the Privateer is to do farther. April the 14th, 1694. If the Joseph, or any Ship Arrives where Mr. Carey is concerned in, let me know; I mean by Mr. Carey, that any Ship he is concerned in; Immediately give me Notice. November 17, 1694. If any Money should be drawn upon you to pay by Mr. Knight, or any other hand, for the Officers or Soldiers that Quarter in Bristol, pay none till you acquaint me, or that they do agree to allow for such Return 3d per Pound; this I will have, if you pay any upon Return, for the Soldiers Use and Quarters. November the 22th, 1694. I shall send down Capias' very suddenly against all the Merchants to take them all up, and hold them to Special Bail; therefore Acquaint Mr. Carey, Mr. Alderman Pope, and other Friends, for 'twill not be in my Power to serve them any longer. Once more I desire you to speak to Mr. Carey, Mr. Pope, and other Friends. The last of January, 1694. Mr. Alderman Pope must pay all, but deliver the enclosed; but say nothing of it. See what he says to you about my Money; Read Alderman Pope's Letter enclosed; Seal it, and take his Answer and send it to me. March 10th, 1694. Bring up all the Bonds due to the King; also those Bonds of Stancome and Wheeler; as to that Bond of Mr. Carey's, given the last Year, leave that in the Iron Chest. March 30, 1695. I hope Mr. Baker has paid Mr. Hall of Sturbridge for the Clay, and if not, let it be done forthwith, Mr. Grace ask me for it. I hope the Act for Glass Bottles will take place, and the Coal; if so 'twill be a great Advantage to Us, because the Glass Houses here and Mark this. elsewhere that have Cole Water born, must and will lay down, since they cannot work so Cheap as us; we shall have the Inland Trade much to ourselves, therefore rest satisfied with as many Bottles as you can at present. May the 2d. 96. Remember after the fourth of May, to buy bad Silver by the Ounce, or else 3 s. or 4 s. in the Pound for broad Money the People will give; Be sure cull out all the broad Money, and keep it till I come home to order it, not letting any body know it; Mind what I now say to you, I mean People will give bad Silver and small Clipped for broad Money, as they do here 20 s. bad Clipped for 16 s. broad and passable Money. Another. My Service to Mr. Bayly; you may acquaint him, if he hath any bad Silver Money, now is the time to be rid of it. October the 29th, 1696. We have made a Vote that Clipped Money and Hammered Silver Money shall go by Weight at 5 s. 2d. by the Ounce betwixt Man and Man, and in Taxes and at the Mint, for 5 s. 8 d. by the Ounce, as now; therefore keep this to yourself, and get what Weighty Hammered Money you can, which we may make the 8 d. Advantage of; Mind this. These Letters, with many others, were delivered into the Hands of Esq Henly of this City; with a Note under the hand of Jo. Elbridg his own Writing, containing a Particular of several Sums of bad and Clipped Money, paid into the King's Receipt by the forementioned Collector John Dutton Colt and others; which Note will lead Your Honours to a farther Enquiry into the many Frauds and Concealments of this place. This I do for the Interest of the Government, and Service of my Country, as will appear, if duly and strictly Examined into, which is left to Your Honour's Great Wisdom. l. s. d. The said John Dutton Colt is Debtor 43519 19 3½ Creditor 30851 14 6¼ The Balance 12668 4 9¼ 43519 19 3½ l. s. d. Memorandum, A Privy Seal appears to Discharge 2000 l. of the abovesaid Balance. So there remains due to the King from the said John Dutton Colt, to Balance 10668 4 9¾ Your Honour's most faithful Humble Servant G. M. Bristol Jan. 3d. 1699 1699/700 700