SEVERAL ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS and COMMITTEE of the NAVY; With the proceed thereupon, touching the Discovery and Prevention of TRANSPORTATION of GOLD and SILVER: With other abuses practised upon the COIN and BULLION of the Kingdom. LONDON, ΒΆ Printed by WILLIAM BENTLEY: Anno Domini 1648. Die Mercurii, 1. Sept. 1647. ORdered by the Commons in Parliament assembled, That it be referred to the Committee of the Navy, to consider of, and take some effectual course to prevent the Transportation of Bullion out of the Kingdom: and speedily to report what they have done herein to the House. H. ELSING, Cler. Parl. Domm. Comm. Committee of the Navy 2. September, 1647. THe Commissioners and Officers of the Customs with Master Watkins the head Searcher, are desired to consider of some course to be taken to prevent the Transportation of Bullion out of the Kingdom, according to an Order of the House of Commons hereunto annexed; and to certify the same to this Committee. Giles Green. THe Commissioners and Officers for the Customs, having together with the head Searcher, in the Port of London, in pursuance of the directions of this Honourable Committee above mentioned, perused sundry Statutes yet in force, relating, as well to the restraint of the Exportation of Bullion, as the Regulation of Merchant's Strangers in their way of Trade, do humbly conceive, 1 That if the Statute of 2. Hen. 6. cap. 6. enjoining Merchants Strangers, to give security in Chancery, not to Transport the Money or Plate of the Realm. And the Statute of 3. Hen. 7. cap. 8. enjoining them to employ the money they receive, in the Merchandise of this Kingdom. 2 And that to the Statute of 5. Rich. 2. cap. 2. and 2. Hen. 4. cap. 5. The Parliament would be pleased, First to declare who shall be reputed Aliens: for that since the sitting of this Parliament, the Children of Aliens born in this Kingdom, are reputed Freeborn Subjects, and do enjoy their Privileges accordingly: which in former times was not allowed till the third descent. Secondly, To declare by Ordinance that the Estates of him or them that shall Export Money or Plate, shall be immediately Sequestered. 3 To impose a severe Penalty upon the Master of such Ship or Vessel, upon which any Money or Plate shall be found above his ordinary charges, he being privy thereunto. 4 To allow to such as shall discover or find out, any Bullion or Plate, endeavoured to be transported, a greater share and proportion, then by the Statutes in that case is yet provided. 5 And to settle some way of punishment for such as shall resist, or abuse Officers sufficiently authorized in their endeavours this way on the State's behalf, The said Commissioners and Officers, do humbly conceive, That it would be a good means to deter such, who by all secret means do daily endeavour the Exportation of the Coin and Bullion of this Kingdom; and much prevent the Exportation thereof. All which, nevertheless they humbly submit to the wisdom of this Honourable Committee. Tho. Dawes Coll. john Hoolloway Comptr. R. Carmarden Super. Vis. Edw. Watkins Searcher. W. Toomes Super. Vis. Gen. Walter Boothby. Rich. Bateman. Sam. Avery. Christoph. Pack. Charles Lloyd. AFter the return of the abovesaid Report of the Commissioners and Officers of the Customs, Master Watkins was again required by the Committee of the Navy, to use his best endeavours in the discovery of the abuses aforesaid: who in order thereunto, did deliver his answer to the same Commit, as followeth. December 3. Anno Dom. 1647. The humble Answer of Edward Watkins Esquire, head Searcher of the Port of London, to the demands of the Honourable Committee of the Navy; for the finding out of such persons, who do and have, against the Known Laws of the Land Transported Gold and Silver into divers parts beyond the Seas, and have melted down the Currant Coins of the Kingdom: and bought Gold and Silver above the rate of the Mint. 1 THat by his place he hath the Moiety of all Gold and Silver which shall be seized in manner as afore mentioned. 2 That to give a stop to these abuses, and to make a perfect discovery of those who have offended, there must be Commissions, one or more, (as occasion shall require) issue out of the Exchequer, granted to such persons who he shall trust, to examine all such persons who may be suspected to be guilty of such Misdemeanours, or give any Evidence therein. 3 That in case he may be allowed the Moiety, and have full power to prosecute with effect; That then he will be at the charge in carrying on this business (which will cost thousands of pounds) having power to use his own instruments; which he is confident will prove so active, as shall satisfy the expectation of this Honourable Committee, for the hindering of the Transportation of Gold and Silver: and will bring considerable sums of money to the State. 4 That an Ordinance may be prepared for the enabling of him and his Assigns: And Henry Cogan Esquire, comptroller of the Mint, to proceed in this service: and that provision be made for the allowing them a Moiety, or half part of all such sum, or sums of money that shall be received, or recovered by the Fines or Compositions of the Offenders aforesaid; for the defraying of their charges and pains. Edw. Watkins. Committee of the Navy, 3. December, 1647. THe Committee having taken this Proposition of Master Watkins into consideration, together with the annexed Report of the Commissioners and Officers of the Customs, do think fit to refer the same to the Chief Officers of the Mint: Who are desired to certify their opinions thereupon to this Committee. Giles Green. The Officers of his Majesty's Mint in the Tower of London, whose names are here under written, in pursuance of the directions of the Honourable Committee of the Navy, in relation to their Order dated the 3 of December present, do humbly conceive, and certify as followeth. THat to prevent great abuses practised upon the Coin and Bullion of the Kingdom, which is Transported out of the Kingdom; as also to prevent the Culling and Melting down the Currant Money of the Kingdom: and for the discovering of such as have offended to be brought to justice, to deter others from acting the like abuses for the future, do humbly conceive, That according to the Precedent of the 14. Rich. 2. cap. 12. a Commission be granted to make enquiry through the Realm, of such as had conveied the moneys of England out of the Kingdom, and to make enquiry after all such as Melt and Cull out the heavy Currant Money, contrary to the Statute of the 4. Hen. 4. cap. 10. none to melt the Currant Silver Coins of the Kingdom, upon pain of forfeiture four times the value. That 2. Hen. 6. cap. 12. It is ordained, that neither the Master Worker of the Mint, nor the Changer for the time being, neither sell or cause to be sold, nor alien to no other use; but apply the same wholly to Coin, according to the tenure of the Indenture of the Mint, made between the King's Majesty and the Master of the Mint: to declare by Ordinance, That what Goldsmith, or Changer shall buy Gold or Silver, and convert it to any use to Transport, shall forfeit the value. To declare by Ordinance, that according to the 5. & 6. Edw. 6. cap. 19 and Act touching the Exchange of Gold and Silver. That whosoever gives more for Gold and Silver than it is or shall be declared, shall suffer imprisonment by the space of a year, and make Fine at the pleasure of the King. The Mint cannot be employed, nor the Transporting of Treasure stopped, if some course be not speedily taken to discover these great abuses. And already, almost all the Gold is Transported out of the Kingdom; and the Silver followeth it apace, as is prudently insisted upon in the late Petition of the Citizens of London, to both Houses of Parliament. We humbly conceive, that the making of this discovery throughout the kingdom, of such as have, or shall Transport Gold and Silver into parts beyond the Seas, and of such as have, or shall melt down the Currant Gold and Silver Coins of the Kingdom, or have, or shall buy Gold and Silver at above the price of the Mint: the practice of which abuses, if not timely prevented, is likely to bring speedy destruction to the Trade of this Kingdom: which is Presidented Anno 4. Rich. 2. cap. 2. when the Kingdom found the same mischief as we now suffer under, by Transporting of Treasure. And Anno 5. & 6. Edw. 6. cap. 19 by giving for Gold and Silver above the price of the Mint. As it will be a service of great importance to the Public affairs, and bring great advantage to the Trade of this Kingdom; so it will draw with it a very great charge. Which if Master Watkins will undertake, he will deserve well to be encouraged. Nevertheless, we humbly submit the premises, to the wisdoms of this Honourable Committee. john St john Warden. Robert Harley Master. Henry Cogan Comptr. December 20. 1647. Committee of the Navy. 8. Febr. 1647. WHereas the House of Commons, did by their Order of the 1. of September 1647. refer unto this Committee, to take some effectual course to prevent the Exportation of Bullion, and report their proceed unto the House. Whereupon, Edward Watkins Esquire, Searcher of the Port of London, presented certain Propositions unto this Committee, which this Committee have referred, both unto the Commissioners of the Customs as also unto the Officers of the Mint; whose respective reports are hereunto annexed. The which the Committee having taken into consideration, do think sit, and Order, That the said Edward Watkins do attend Master Solicitor with the said Propositions and other Papers, who is desired to draw up such an Ordinance as in his judgement he shall see sitting to be presented unto the House, for the intents and purposes aforesaid. Samuel vassal. George Scutt. George Thomson. john Waddon. Giles Green. Edward Ash. IN pursuance of this Order, I have been attended by Master Watkins, and have considered of the Order of the House of Commons of the 1. September last; and of the Certificates and Papers annexed. And I do conceive Transporters of Coin and Bullion, and Buyers of Coin at greater rates then for which the same is allowed to be Currant, may be punished by the Statute-Laws now in force, if an effectual course were taken for their discovery. For which end, if a Commission be issued out of the Exchequer, directed to fit persons to be employed in this service; and Examinations and Proofs returned, Informations may be Exhibited in the said Court for punishing the offenders. Dated the tenth day of March, Anno Dom. 1647. Oliver St john. Committee of the Navy and Customs. 28. Martii 1648. WHereas the House of Commons did by their Order of the 1. September last, refer it to this Committee to consider of, and to take some effectual course to prevent the Transportation of Bullion out of the Kingdom. Whereupon this Committee did refer the same unto the Commissioners and Officers of the Customs: as also to the Officers of the Mint, who returned their several Certificates thereupon unto this Committee; which the Committee having taken into consideration, Did desire the opinion of Master Solicitor thereupon. Who hath returned his Certificate: That Transportation of Coin and Bullion, and buying of Coin at greater rates then for which the same is allowed to be Currant, may be punished by the Statute-Laws now in force, if an effectual course were taken for their discovery. For which end, if a Commission be issued out of the Exchequer, directed to fit persons to be employed in this service, and Examinations and Proofs returned; Informations may be Exhibited in the said Court, for the punishing the offenders. The Committee having taken the whole premises into debate and consideration, do think fit, and Order, That it be especially recommended unto the said Master Solicitor to procure a Commission to be issued out of the Court of Exchequer, directed unto john St john's, Henry Cogan, Edward Watkins, Vincent Delabarre Esquires, Thomas Lever, john Bird, john Bennet, james Hoar, Anthony Keilock, and Francis Smartfoot Gent. and such others as he shall think sitting, or two or more of them returnable quam Citius & tandem ad tres. Michls. to take Examination in the City of London, Counties of Kent and Sussex, concerning the unlawful Exportation of Gold and Silver in Mass, or Moneys, or Plate out of this Realm to foreign parts; and concerning the buying of Gold and Silver at higher rates than are allowed at the Mint, and Melting the Coins of the Kingdom, and other abuses practised upon Coins and Bullion within this Kingdom. And he is desired to move the Barons of the Exchequer, to grant the said Commissions, and to proceed thereon according to the Laws. Samuel vassal. Squire Bence. Giles Green. Walt. Earl john Roll. AFter all these serious Debates, Orders, and Certificates in the pursuance of the Order of Parliament, The Barons of the Exchequer granted out a Commission, dated 12. February 1647. to the persons afore recited, to find out the offences afore named, in London, Kent, and Sussex. That which will give dispatch in this business, is, 1 That the said Barons may be desired effectually to proceed against such persons as either refuse to Appear before the Commissioners upon Subpenas served on them for such Appearances, (or as when they do appear, refuse to be examined upon oath) wherein themselves are not concerned, as against persons in contempt in other cases. 2 That whereas divers Masters of Ships, Factours, Goldsmiths, and other persons, are to be Witnesses in the discovery of the Offenders; That such persons as shall be examined as Witnesses and certified by any two of the aforesaid Commissioners, whereof Edward Watkins Esquire, to be always one (shall be discharged only for themselves, and as much as they confess) of all Fines, Penalties, and Punishments that they are liable unto by the Law, for any the aforesaid misdemeanours. 3 That the Parliament-men and Committee of the Navy, are daily scandalised in Pamphlets, for the Transporting of great sums of Money, both Gold and Silver out of the Realm. (The chief Offenders will be found to be the Merchant Strangers.) Therefore for the Vindicating of their own Honours, a strict examination of the offences aforesaid, aught to be enquired after. Without which, this scandal will stick on this Parliament and their Members, That they will not suffer Inquirie of these great abuses, against the Commonwealth to be made, because themselves are faulty. And how damageable Transporting Treasure is to the Commonwealth, the Petition of the City of London (the 1. of December last) to the Parliament, the Certificates of the Officers of the Mint, and Commissiioners of the Customs afore recited, and several Statutes and Laws in all Ages abundantly declare. 20. June, Anno Dom. 1648. FINIS.