The Case betwee, n the Right Honourable CITY of LONDON, and Robert Campion.  
Represented to Public View, after Sixteen Years private sad Sufferings, and attendance, early and late, upon the several Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Councels, without Relief.  
ROBERT CAMPION, being by Trade a Tallow-Chandler, and aged above Sixty Years; and having a Wife aged above Sixty Years, and two Children; had, by his pains and care in his Calling, by God's blessing, in his younger years, gained an Estate of One Thousand Pounds, before the Troubles began, towards the maintenance of himself, his Wife and Children, and for their provision in the World: which he lent unto the City of London (in their necessity) to be repaid with Interest at six months' end; and had a Bond Sealed with the City Seal, for repayment thereof accordingly.  
The Bond bears date the first of August, 1643. to be paid upon the third of February, next ensuing the date. At which time the said Robert Campion repaired to the Chamberlains Office, where the same was by the Bond to be paid, for the Interest of his Money, towards the livelihood of himself and Family; the Chamberlain refused to pay him, and advised him to go to the Court of Aldermen for his Money, which he did, Sir John Woollaston being then Lord Mayor; who taking notice of the said Robert Campion's good affection and forwardness to lend his Money, desired a little patience for a Fortnight or three weeks, that the Court might examine what was become of the money lent: and after that desired as much time longer: and then Alderman Andrews directed him to bring a Petition to the Court of Aldermen, and Common-Counsel for his said Money; And he attended their Honours four years; during which time, Sir John Woollaston, Alderman Atkins, Alderman adam's, and Alderman Gayr were Mayors.  
The said Robert Campion attending still an answer of his Petition; when Alderman Warner was Lord Mayor, he directed him to put the said Bond in Suit, which he did in Michaelmas Term, 1648. But the City refused to appear; and thereupon Issues were awarded against them; But the said Robert Campion being aged and not able to undergo so tedious a Solicitation and proceeding at Law, petitioned the Court of Aldermen and Common-Counsel again, hoping that they would take his distressed condition into consideration, after so many years: and so continued Petitioning every Lord Mayor, desiring that he might have his Debt paid, according to Justice. Whereupon the Common-Counsel ordered a Committee the 19 of October, 1652. to consider what might be the best and most effectual way and means for the payment of his Money. And upon their Report the 19 of April 1653. it was ordered at a Common-Councel, that the Committee for letting the City-Lands, should be authorized to demise unto Robert Campion any of the City Lands demisable, as he should find out; reserving the old Rent. Provided, the Fine do not exceed 600 l. Which Fine is ordered shall be forborn, during the pleasure of this Court. The said Robert Campion having lent all his Money unto the City already, and not knowing how to raise 600 l. if the pleasure of that Court had been to require it, still Petitioned for his own money, or desired that he might have the 600 l. paid in part of his Debt: which not being granted him, and he still being pressed by his wants to solicit for his Money, it was alleged by some of the Common-Councel, that the Money was lent by him, was upon an order of Parliament; and thereupon they referred it to a Committee to consider, and report upon what Order of Parliament it was lent: And the Committee by their Report upon the 16 of March 1653. report, that upon Examination they could not find any Order of Parliament for borrowing or issuing out of the said Money, but that the said Money was lent upon the Act of Common-council, made the 18 of july 1643, and upon the Security there mentioned only. Above a year after, the said Robert Campion continuing to Petition, and crave that Justice might be done for him, the Common-counsel ordered the 28th. of October, 1654. That the Chamberlain of the City should pay unto the said Robert Campion 600l. out of the first Moneys to be raised by Fines of Leases of the City Lands. Provided, that he deliver a Bond, given under the City Seal, for payment of one thousand Pounds, a Debt due to him by the State, upon payment to him of the said 600 l. and the Mayor, Commonalty, and City of London, becoming bound to him by Bond of convenient Penalty to pay the said Robert so much Money of the said Debt, as the City shall receive of the Parliament or State over and above the said 600 l. The said Robert having lent the City his said Money, and being thus from time to time put off and deluded by them in his old age and necessity, was enforced through their opression, to accompany his Petitions with more earnest desires and Speeches; and conceiving himself to be as bad as cheated of his Estate, seeing those to whom he lent it, would not own it, but pretend it to be a Debt of the States, notwithstanding their own reports to the contrary, and that they would not, nor could be enforced to appear at Law: The said Robert Campion being in almost a distracted condition, did speak words to that effect, that he was cheated by the City and their Power; which being spoke to Alderman Fowk then Lord Mayor, he caused the said Robert to be Arrested, and laid in Prison eleven weeks and two days in Newgate. And when he had procured Bail, and came again to prosecute his Petition, when Alderman Pack was Lord Mayor, the said Mayor and divers of the Aldermen committed him to Woodstreet Compter, where he was imprisoned again for some time; as appears by their Warrant, dated the 12 of june 1655. the said Robert Campion being only provoked, and almost mad, through the oppression which he then groaned under, for want of his Estate which he had lent unto the City, and came then to Petition for, after so many years fruitless attendance. The said Robert Campion having undergone all this hardship, still continued Petitioning, and desiring that his Money might be paid according to 〈…〉 did nothing, so that another Order was directed to the said Committee the 27 of March 1657, to 〈…〉 matter of Fact, and to consider of a way for his Relief, and for the Relief of others in his condition, and to make Report thereof: For the effect of which Report, the said Robert Campion was then attending.  

WE whose Names are Subscribed, authorized among others by Order of Common-Councel of the 18 of March 1652, to examine upon what Order of Parliament the sum of one Thousand pounds, for which Mr. Campion hath the City's Seal, was lent, and how much all the money lent upon the same Order is, and how much of such money is Issued out, and upon what Warrants: do humbly certify, that upon our Examination of the Matter, we cannot find any Order of Parliament for the borrowing or issuing out thereof, but we conceive that the said money was lent upon the occasion mentioned in the Act of Common-Councel made the 18 day of july 1643, and upon the security therein mentioned only, which we humbly submit to the further consideration of this Honourable Court, this 26 day of March 1653.  


Thomas Andrews.  
john Dethick.  
Richard Gibbs.  
Thomas Stanley.     

London,  
THese are to require you to receive into your Custody the Body of Robert Campion forthwith sent you, for the speaking of scandalous words against several Aldermen, in coming to the Court of Aldermen to do their duties, and in their return from thence: and for abusing the Court of Aldermen with scurrilous language, and for interrupting them in doing of their business of the Court and this City; and for refusing to find Sureties for his Personal appearance at the next Sessions of Peace to be held for the City, and in the mean time to be of good behaviour, or be otherwise discharged by due course of Law, and this shall be your Warrant:  
Given under our Hands and Seals this 12th day of july 1655. 

Christo. Pack Major.  
Thomas Atkins.  
john Fowke.  
Thomas Viner.  
john Dethicke.  
Robert Tichbourne.  
john Ireton.    
To the Keeper of Woodstreet Compter London.   

To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Commons, in Common-Councel Assembled. The Humble Petition of Robert Campion.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat your Petitioner hath been these 16 years continually attending and soliciting the Mayors, Aldermen, and Common-Councels of this City, and endeavouring by all just Means to recover the 1000 l. heretofore lent by your Petitioner, upon an Act of Common Council, and a Bond under the Seal of this City, for repayment thereof. But hath had no other Returns, than Sorrow, Imprisonment, and a further great expense of the dear and precious fruits of the Labours of his younger years, and provision for his Age, Wife and Children, as may appear by his Case annexed.  
That to increase the measure of his Sufferings, Alderman Fowk hath and doth demand of him 100 l. and his Costs recovered against your Petitioner, for words spoken to him by your Petitioner, in a Passion, and deep sense of his said Sufferings. (to this effect) that he was cheated by the City and their Power; whereto your Petitioner conceiveth the said Alderman was and is encouraged by the Court of Aldermen, as doth appear by their Warrant: in regard Alderman Atkins was present at the Trial, and there spoke against your Petitioner, in favour of the said Alderman and the Cause. And Mr. Allen this City Counsel there also said, It was not Alderman Fowk that Sued your Petitioner, but the whole Court of Aldermen: And hath continued Petitioning every Lord Mayor this 16 years, and never had an Answer to any one Petition.  
He humbly Prayeth he may not spend and end his days in Sorrow, in seeking and ask in vain his Right from this City. That every Member of this Court, would make the Case his own, and seriously consider the great Precept, of doing as he would be done unto; and the Power put into his hands, and how it is to be used. And take such Order, that your Petitioner may be speedily satisfied his just Debt and Damages, and ere he Dies, he, his Wife and Children, Bless God for your Just dealing.  
And he shall Pray, etc.   

☞ Taking notice of a Letter directed to one of the Committee chosen by the Common-Counsel of London, for Ensuring of Houses against Fire. That the City Bonds which they refuse to pay, were only for Money advanced on the Public Faith, and that the Money was not paid into the Chamber, but to Treasurers appointed by the House of Commons in the late Rebellious times: Lest under that pretence my just Debt should be lost, I having a Right to the Bond of 1000 l. with Interest, (which was for Moneys really paid into the Chamber of London) did think fit to Reprint the Case of Robert Campion, as it was Printed in his life time, and delivered abroad. For that the Money lent on the Public Faith was of a different Nature, and expressed to be so in the Writing given for that purpose.    

London, Printed in the Year 1681.