A BREVIATE OF THE WEAVERS BUSINESS Before the Honourable Committee of the House of Commons in the Star-Chamber.  
July 28 1648  
THat their Opponents in their Petitions referred to this honourable Committee. charge the said Governors to have committed many things contrary to the Statute-lawes and Ordinances of the said Company.  
And the said Governors have put in their Answer to each particular charge, in some things justifying their practices, either by prescription, by their Charter confirmed in Parliament, by the Statute-Laws, or by the allowed Ordinances of the said Company; And in other things by denial of the charge, refer the same to the proof on both sides.  
Now forasmuch as there is no other rule of safety for the said Governors to act and regulate by, or their members to submit unto, than the Ordinances of their Company procured by common consent, and confirmed by the Judges, according to 19 H. 7. Cap. 7. (which they are respectively engaged by Oath to observe) until the said Ordinances be by the same, or a higher Power repealed. And forasmuch as the said Opponents charge the said Governors with breach of the said Ordinances:  
The said Governors do therefore humbly pray this honourable Committee, That in the drawing up of the Report to the honourable House of Commons touching the Premises; you will be pleased to permit the Clerk of the said Company to attend your Honours with their Books of Ordinances under Seal, together with the Statute-Book, and other matters of Record by them quoted; to the end their practices may be examined by them, and this honourable Committee may receive full satisfaction.  
Charge. 1 That the Governors of the said Company have admitted Strangers, contrary to Law, to the undoing of the Petitioners and their Families.  
Answer. That in 47. years there hath been admitted into this Company 317 Strangers, that fled into this Kingdom for Religion, and were allowed by the State to inhabit in this Realm, and to have Churches and Congregations not only in London, but in Norwich, Yarmouth, Colchester, Canterbury, and other Cities and Maritine towns in this Kingdom where Strangers do still live, and exercise Weaving without molestation.  
2. These Statutes still in force, viz. 14. H. 8. Cap. 2.21. H. 8. Ca 16. and 32. H. 8. Ca 16. give liberty to Strangers born, Denizens, or not Denizens to take Apprentices and Journeymen, (provided they be born under the King's obeisance) and appoint the Master and Wardens of Companies in London, to regulate all such Strangers or Denizens, and their Manufactures, as do use their respective Arts within two miles of London; and to administer the Oath mentioned in the Star-Chamber Decree, made 20. H. 8. as by the same Statutes may appear.  
3. These Ordinances confirmed by the Judges, viz. 31, 45, & 53. appoints the ordering and regulating of Strangers, Denizens, and Forainers.  
4 By prescription by their Charter, confirmed in Parliament, And by the 15 and 17 Ordinances of this Company the said Governors have liberty to admit whom they conceive fit into their Corporation.  
5. Whereas their Opponents in their Petitions, and before this honourable Committee have from time to time in a most lamentable manner alleged and affirmed, that they and their families (being many thousands) do want employment, and are undone in their Trade by reason of the multitude of Strangers that are continually admitted into their Company.  
The said Governors do upon their reputation affirm unto your Honours, That by the diligentest search and course they can possibly take, they cannot discover that there is twenty Master-strangers admitted that wove any of those kinds of ware which these Opponents were bred up unto, or deal in, the Strangers being generally Weavers of broad Silks and Stuffs; and the said Opponents are Weavers of Ribbons and Laces.  
Lastly, the said Governors do manifest that they have really endeavoured to procure a restriction of the coming over of stranger's Weavers in the future; as by their Bill twice read in the house of Commons at the beginning of this Parliament, which is now before this honourable Committee, may clearly appear. Which Bill, together with a new draught of a Bill since delivered to this honourable Committee, the Governors humbly desire may be taken into consideration.  
Charge. 2 That the Governors have admitted many Natives that have not served seven years to the said Trade.  
Answer. This Charge the said Governors deny, affirming, That they never admit any native Weaver, until they have good testimony either upon Oath or credible Certificate, that each party to be admitted hath served seven years' apprentice to the said Trade, this being the only rule and practice in all the Companies in London.  
Moreover, if it be found that any persons have given false testimony or counterfeited any Certificate, they are liable to punishment; but the Governors are not therefore to be blamed.  
Charge. 3 That the said Governors have exacted Fees of those they make Free, viz. a Silver spoon and ij. s. iiij d.  
Answer. 1. The 27 Ordinance of the said Company in express words appointeth them to take the said Spoon; yet they remit it to all that are not well able to give the same; and there is not one person of an hundred but gives it freely.  
2. The spoons so received are not diverted to particular or private uses (as by some hath been suggested) but are duly accounted for every year; therefore if they should be inhibited to be taken in the future, the prejudice will be to the stock not to the Governors.  
3. As touching the ij s. iiij d. above mentioned it is not paid to the Governors, but to three Officers of their Company, it being the usual constant fee which hath been paid and continued time out of mind, unto the said Officers and their predecessors for giving the oath, recording the testimony of each man's due service to the trade, and his admittance thereupon, and for posting them into several other books, and for other services and attendances in and touching the premises; The said Officers having but 4 l. a piece per annum for their service, besides such accidents as making free, binding Apprentices, etc.  
Charge. 4 That the Commonalty are deprived of their right, in being denied their voice in electing of the Bailiffs and Wardens of the said Company yearly.  
Answer. 
Note, That in most Companies the Master and Wardens are chosen by the Assistants only, without the Livery.  1. The Bailiffs of this Company, ever since they were a Corporation (which is about 500 years) have constantly been nominated and elected, by the old Bailiffs, Wardens, Assistants, and Livery of the said Company only, and that by scrutiny, without any interruption or intermixture of any other persons, under the degree of the Livery whatsoever.  
2. This manner of electing the Officers of Corporations by a certain select number of rank and degree (as is practised in London and other popular Cities) hath long since been resolved in a case of Law by all the Judges, to be good and agreeable with the Law, for the avoiding of popular disorder and confusion, (notwithstanding the word Commonalty specified in their Charter,) as may clearly appear in the Lord Cooks fourth Report, fol. 77. and 78. touching Corporations.  
3. When any Common-halls are called in London for the public service of the State or City, as for the choosing of Magistrates, granting of Loan moneys, etc. none but the Liveries of the several Companies are summoned or permitted to be there, and whatsoever they conclude upon, is binding to the several members of each respective Company in London; otherwise instead of regular resolutions, nothing could be produced but terror and confusion.  
Lastly, the said Governors conceive, that their custom being of that antiquity, is amongst the rest of the customs of London confirmed by Magna Charta.  
Charge. 5 That the Governors have received the treasure and stock of the said Company, and refuse to give any account thereof.  
Answer. 1. The Governors humbly conceive, that this Honourable Committee at the first general hearing were resolved to decline this particular charge, in regard it then appeared not only by their Council, but also by an Order in Chancery, that the same business brought thither by their Adversaries was yet depending in that Honourable Court; yet nevertheless their opponents have since procured the said accounts to be perused, and have taken upon them to put in several exceptions against the said accounts, which exceptions were received by this Honourable Committee 7. Julii instant, at which time it was thought fit and ordered, That the Governors should not put in any answer unto the said exceptions.  
Therefore the said Governors are enforced to remind your Honours of some heads of what they have formerly presented to this Honourable Committee touching their accounts, viz.  
1. That the accounts of this Company have been yearly examined, audited, and allowed by Auditors chosen and qualified according to the fifth and fortieth Ordinances of the said company, confirmed by the Judges according to the Statute of 19 H. 7. Cap. 7.  
2. That all moneys expended out of the common stock for the necessary and public affairs of the Company are allowed by the said fortieth Ordinance, & therefore they ought not to be excepted against by their Opponents (who being members of the said Company are sworn to the due observance of the said Ordinances aswell as their Governors) but to be concluded by the said Ordinances.  
3. If the generality of this or any other Corporation, have a right to except against any part of the disbursments of their Masters and Wardens, than their power will hold equal to except against all their accounts, which if granted, it will avoidable follow, that Governors cannot purchase, let or set, or take up moneys at interest upon the Common-Seale of that Corporation, for the defraying of any public service, without the consent of every individual member of the same Company, the dangerous consequence whereof, the Governors humbly leave to your Honour's most serious consideration, humbly praying that no such exceptions may lie against their accounts, nor any such thing brought in precedent in the future against them, or any other in like case.  
Charge, 6 That the stock of their Company is wasted, and that there is no provision made for their poor.  
Answer. 1. In defence to this Charge the said Governors answer, That they have land and arrears of Rent in Ireland, which if they did enjoy would amount unto a thousand pound, besides they have lent and paid for the use of the State, since 12. October 1640. above One thousand pounds more.  
2. They affirm that they have 46. settled Pensioners of their Company, besides above 60. other poor, that they relieve quarterly; and could they be freed from these expensive troubles, they might soon by the blessing of God raise a good stock for their Company.  
3. The said Governors humbly entreat your Honours to take special notice, that these Opponents who question and except against the accounts of the said Governors, which have been duly audited and allowed according to the allowed Ordinances of the said Company, have themselves for many years together received the Journeymens' quarterage, (which if duly collected, is equivalent to the Master's Quarterage) and have shared it amongst themselves, refusing to give any account thereof unto their Governors, contrary to their several Oaths; which said Quarterage belongeth to the stock of the said Company, as by the 43. Ordinance of the said Company may clearly appear, and not to their private uses.  
Charge. 7 That the said Governors have dismissed the Yeomanry contrary to an Order of the Court of Lord Major and Aldermen.  
Answer. The said Governors affirm, that they have not dismissed them, but in regard they are the Governors' substitutes, and for that by Law the said Governors are liable to answer all misdemeanours committed by them, And for that the said Opponents have practised to sow sedition between the Governors and their Members, etc. Therefore the Court of Assistants and Livery made an Order for the regulating them and their searchers, for the safety of the said Company in the future, according to the 5.26. and 43. Ordinances of the said Company.  
Charge. 8 That the said Governors do not put the Laws of the Realm, the Ordinances of the said Company, and Orders of the Lord Major and Aldermen in execution against Offenders.  
Answer. 1. As by the Law the said Governors may not proceed against their Members before their offence be proved, so when due proof hath been made of any offence, the said Governors have duly proceeded against Offenders, according to their respective Oaths.  
2. The Orders of the Court of Lord Major and Aldermen, produced by the Opponents for suing one Richard Fletcher, and others in those Orders specified, bears date in Anno 1627. and 1630. which was long before these Governors were in place; and therefore ought not to be charged therewith.  
Charge. 9 That the said Governors purchased a Patent and Contract, very destructive to the Trade and Society.  
Answer. This Contract the said Governors withstood 3. years together, and endeavoured their utmost to have avoided the same, which said Contract was by the procurement of the said Governors, discharged in July, 1640. And as touching that which their Opponents term, a Patent or Monopoly, the said Governors do affirm, that the Commonwealth hath been, and at present is very much prejudiced by adulterated, insufficient, and cheating Wares and Commodities, which are thereby inhibited, and which had long since been prevented, (had not the said Charter been under restraint by means of their Opponents) All which is more fully set forth in the Governors answer to this particular charge received by this Honourable Committee and read, 22. June last, unto which together with their former Answer they refer.  
Cause. 1 The cause why many Weavers, as well as other Tradesmen, want employment, is the general obstruction of Trade that hath been occasioned through the distraction of the times, for if there were a free open Trade again, albeit there were more Weavers than there are, yet they could not want employment.  
Cause. 2 Is the great prices that silk hath been at of late, inso much that the Weavers can hardly make one of one.  
Cause. 3 Is the importation of Woven Laces, and Ribbons from France, and other foreign parts, which are inhibited by the Statute of 19 H. 7. Cap. 21.  
Cause. 4 It, that as many Weavers Apprentices went out in the State's Service since these troubles began, so their Masters took other Apprentices in their rooms, and now many of the first being returned again hath increased the number of Weavers exceedingly.  
This is the summary account of the Governors answers delivered at several times unto this honourable Committee.  
And now the Governors humbly desire your Honour's patience to peruse these ensuing particulars.  
1. That in the progress of this business their Opponents, from time to time, have enlarged their accusations fare beyond the bounds of their petitions referred to your Honours, or their proofs touching the premises.  
2. The said Governors have used their utmost endeavours by way of Treaty with their Opponents, to have composed their differences according to the advice of this Honourable Committee. But because the said Governors could not condescend to some of their Opponents demands, (which tend to the total subversion of the ancient established Government of the said Company) the said opponents broke off, & declared they would treat no further, with them; an account whereof the said Governors and Livery presented to this Honourable Committee, subscribed by them 12. April last, which they humbly desire may be by your Honours taken into consideration. Since which time the said Opponents, to raise up the difference between the members of the said Company and the said Governors, have printed and published a most notorious libel, wherein they cast many scandals and reproaches upon the said Governors, & wherein they term the said Governors cheaters, affirming that within this few years they have received 1200 l. in bribes, and shared it amongst themselves; which libel being full of other notorious scandals & calumnies (to the end it should be taken for truth) they entitled it, [The humble representation of the Commonalty of the Company of Weavers to the high Court of Parliament] but never durst deliver it to the Parliament to this day: Which Libel, together with several other Libels by them printed and published; together with their other practices in going from house to house to incense the people against the said Governors; hath made them so odious, that now many of their Members in stead of paying their duties, and conforming to government, refuse to pay any more, and reproach and threaten the said Governors when they are in execution of their service for the Company, to their great discouragement and danger.  
And the Governors hope this Committee will call to mind the said Opponents uncivil and tumultuous carriage before this honourable Committee, both against them, the Governors, and their Council; to which the Governors might add their many other strange and feditious practices to enforce their clamorous and false aspersions cast upon the Governors; and that during the dependency of the Cause upon their own complaint before the Parliament, and by way of reference before this honourable Committee; of which insolences and bold miscarriages, as the Governors hope to find a time to be heard upon their further Information, so they humbly expect and desire, That this honourable Committee, for so much as thereof hath already appeared before them (the matter, as the Governors conceive, concerning the Honour and Justice of Parliament) will he pleased to take the same into their due and serious consideration.   
FINIS.