A True Relation OR ACCOUNT OF The whole PROCEDURE BETWEEN The Corporation at CANTERBURY, AND Mr. John Somner, Concerning the NEW-MARKET-HOUSE there.  
Nihil charius aestimamus, quàm beneficium, 
 Quod diu petimus: nihil vilius, cum accepimus.  Seneca. 
LONDON, Printed. 1666.   

The PREFACE.  
THAT the public and common good and benefit of any place or Society is of every individual Member in particular; but more especially, of the Representatives of that Society in general, rather to be studied, than their own private or particular ends or interests; none (doubtless) will offer to deny. And yet by sad experience what more frequently found true, than the quite contrary? Aswell whole Societies, as particular members too too often casting off all care of the Public, and abandoning themselves to selfishness, and the study only of their own private commodity.  
How happy then (because so rare) is the condition of that Society, where such a Genius, such a general consent in promoting the common good of the place universally obtains, and is diffused throughout the whole body! Where this fails, as most where it doth) the next happiness to it of this kind, is to find such a public spiritedness in single and particular persons, (whether members of, or friends to such a Society) as makes them to become examples to others of piety and bounty, by acts of public and common benefit to the place: And consequently, to what a kind and welcome entertainment, to what a return of gratitude, is that Society obliged, who are made the objects of such public piety and beneficence!  
If so; how much than is that Society to blame, which is not only slack and backward to such acts of public good themselves; but also to encourage and return thanks to those particular persons, to whom God hath given, together with ability, such a public spirit and mind, as (in any eminent degree, at least) to become their benefactors! Whether there be such a Society, or not, at this day, let who so will he judge that shall consult the following Mirror, representing not the ill requital and unworthy usage of Archbishop Abbot, the Founder of their noble Conduit, by a prevailing faction, (headed by a Peterling) among their praedecessors; but (that which cannot but revive the memory of it) the unworthy Entertainment of a new piece of beneficence by a like faction in the present Corporation: notwithstanding that foundation of gratitude, and better usage from them, but newly laid by the Benefactor, as being chief active and instrumental in procuring new Gates for the City; impiously rob of their old by the Rebels, from the late Archbishop Juxon.   

A true Relation or Account of the whole Proceedure between the Corporation at Canterbury and Mr. John Somner.  
THAT useful and ancient Structure of Stone, of a circular form, graced with an ascent of several steps, for people's accommodation to sit upon, and expose their wares, and (for their better shelter from foul weather) covered over head with a platform of Lead; the Market-Cross at Canterbury, built by the bounty and piety of a quondam wealthy Alderman, of grateful memory, being in the late times of misrule and confusion, beaten down and swept away by the avarice and impiety of a beggarly factious Alderman, of hateful memory, to the dishonour of the City, and detriment of Town and Country: and the Citizens (sensible of the want of such a piece, both of ornament and use) being, as I was, full of their wishes and long for the day, when the generous and public spirit of some good Benefactor, would provoke and engage their gratitude by adorning and accommodating their City with a new piece, another pile of that nature: and after a long and tedious time of expectation, none offering at the undertaking, I, though one of the meanest among the many naives of the place, yet impatient of the Cities want of an accommodation, so useful as well as ornamental; and finding others more able than willing, gave leave and way to my will to outvie my ability, rather than the place of my Nativity should any longer suffer under the reproach of such a great defect: not doubting of the encouragement of the virtuous undertaking by the courteous acceptance of it from my fellow-Citizens: and the rather because of the public good which from the beginning I propounded to myself, and made known to some of them in this affair. But it falling out otherwise; insomuch as my real intentions for resigning all up to public and pious uses, are now quite altered, I thought it not amiss (for their satisfaction who may inquire into the cause) to give them an account of the whole transaction, leaving it to them freely to judge at whose Door the blame lies.  
Having therefore, by the City's free permission, and with the expense of Four hunded pounds and upwards, erected and completed a Market-house, (a piece of such Elegancy as much commends the Architect) consisting of a double Story, divided into two fair rooms a piece, with a Pavement of Stone underneath, very useful for walking, out of Market time; and all this (in my intentions) dedicated to public and pious uses, without any jot of profit or advantage reserved either to me or mine: and thinking it now a convenient time to broach my design, and make it openly known to the Corporation, I drew a prospect of it in writing, and by the mediation of a very worthy 
* Mr. L. B.  friend, (one of themselves) communicated it unto them under the term and title of Propositions of this tenor.  

Certain Proposals, concerning the Market-House at the Bulstake in Canterbury, by me John Somner, the Sole Founder and Builder thereof, made to the right worshipful the Mayor and the Court of Burgmote, October 24. 1665. upon their Sealing of my Lease.  
ALL things, according to mutual agreement between us, being accomplished, to the good content and satisfaction (I hope) of both parties; that is to say, on my part, the Market-house being erected, and nothing wanting to the completing of it, according to my covenant, but what is now in hand, and with all convenient speed shall (God willing) be punctually perfected: and on your part, the Lease of the Superstructure, according to your Covenant being made and delivered me, whereby I am become the true and sole Owner thereof, and the thing in my free power to dispose of, during my Lease: To let you, and posterity after you, know and see, how in this work I have studied the public good, honour and benefit of the City and Country, and the the encouragement of other persons of ability, by my example, to do the like in some kind or other, much and far more than my own private profit, or advantage, which the Searcher of hearts knows to be spoken without the least ostentation or desire of vainglory or popular applause: I do so far renounce my own interest in that part of the Superstructure which looketh Westward, as freely to permit and admit you to a participation with me in the use and accommodation of the Chamber there, at all times when you shall have occasion of meeting there together, or any Six or more of you, upon any public account concerning the City; and that during my life time, and the life time of my Brother Mr. William Somner, if he survive me.  
Secondly, I do as freely grant and permit the use and accommodation of the said Chamber, to all and every of the six Companies of the City, viz. the Drapers, Tailors, Mercers, Grocers, Carpenters, smith's, and Shoo makers, for their and every of their meeting there together, upon any occasion concerning their Companies Affairs, during the term aforefaid. And after mine and my said Brother's Decease, I absolutely give, resign up, and relinquish the said room to you and them in perpetuity, for the uses and purposes abovesaid.  
Thirdly, In Charity to the Poor, I presently give up unto you and your Successors, the Garret or Upper Story over the Chamber at the East end of the said Market-house, for a Storehouse and place of Stowage, for a Stock of Corn for the Poor of the Six out-patishes of the City, Westgate, St. Dunstan, Northgate, St. Paul's, St. Mildredt, St. George's, and of one of the In-Parishes (because I was born there) St. Alphage. And to handsel the place, and become (as I hope) as a leading, so a lucky example of Charity in this kind to others, I do engage at my own charge, to lay in there, for that use, Twenty Seams or Quarters of Wheat assoon as the room can be made ready, and fitting to receive it: intending it shall lie and be kept there (as in a Storehouse) against a Time, or Year, of Dearth or Scarcety, and then be delivered out at such rates and prizes as the Stock may thereby be renewed with such advantage as the Mayor and Aldermen for the time being shall think fit. And if, by God's goodness and mercy, no such dearth shall happen in the mean time, it shall be in the power of the then Mayor and Court of Aldermen, at 3, 4, or 5. years' end, and so from time to time for ever, to sell and put off the said 20. Seams of Wheat; provided that within 12. month's time next following, they shall be bound to renew and recruit the Stock with as much new Wheat, and, if it may be, with advantage. And I hope, the room being of a capacity to receive twice as much Corn, this example of mine will (which God grant) invite and encourage those of more ability to add unto the Stock. And should it please God to stir up such a number of charitable Benefactors as that the Room will not be able to bear so great a Stock of Corn, (for I would have care taken it be not overburdened:) I shall freely part with the other Storehouse also, that I mean opposite unto it, at the West end of the said Market-house, for the same use; so as the Corn be sent in within 12. month's next ensuing the Date hereof.  
Fourthly, as there is room under the first staircase, the Rent whereof will serve to pay for the cleaning of the Market, and turning of the Corn, so I as freely give it up and put it over to you the said Mayor and Aldermen and your Successors, for that intent and purpose, with full power to hire or rend it out for the best advantage.  
This and all the rest, I freely confer and bestow as aforesaid, yet with and under these limitations and conditions here ensuing, and not otherwise, viz.  
First, that you the Mayor and Aldermen be obliged to perform and do what on your part is required to be performed and done, as touching the ordering and managing of the Stock of Corn for the Poor.  
Secondly, that both you, and the six Companies shall engage for the keeping the whole Market-house aforesaid, from time to time in good adn needful repair, at your and their costs and charges.  
Thirdly, That the Doorkeeper of the Chamber, Storehouse, or Storehouses aforesaid shall be left to the nomination and appointment of myself, during my life, and after my decease to the nomination and appointment of my said Brather, if he survive me, during his life.  
Fourthly, That the Market there shall from henceforth for ever be made a Free-Market for Town and Country.  
Fifthly, That no Huckster be permitted to buy any thing there, to utter and sell again there; which is a common thing, but indeed a very great abuse; as I have observed since the Market-house was in building.  
Sixthly, That the Country people coming with Provision to the Market there to sell, may have what room the place will afford (for which end it was chiefbuilt) and not be turned out or excluded (as they now are, many of them) by those that sell Herbs, Roots, and such kind of Huck-stry-ware, to the dishonour of the Town, and Market.  
All which Conditions and Limitations I conceive to be so reasonable, and (if well looked after and observed) so honourable and advantageous to the City, (as tending only to the public good, and no more to my own private benefit than in common with others) as that I cannot doubt of your readiness, in all particulars here propounded, to close with  
(Right Worshipful) Your humble Servant JOHN SOMNER.  
Upon further consideration, That I may clear myself to all the world of self-ends, or designing any private advantage to me or mine by this Work, wherewith many malevolent and unthankful persons have been apt and forward to blast, and (if they could) to discourage, my public undertaking; I do now further declare myself, that I am also willing to forgo the whole benefit (before reserved to myself) of that other part of the first Story, the Eastern Chamber of the Market-house aforesaid: offering and leavihg it to the choice of the present Mayor and Aldermen and their Successors, whether I shall employ and hire it out to the best and most advantage myself, or leave it to them so to do: but so as in either case the whole yearly Rent and Revenue thereof, which I cannot reckon at less than 5. l. per annum, shall go to the relief of the ten Inbrothers and Insisters of Eastbridge Hospital for ever, as an augmentation to their poor and beggarly maintenance. And so God's blessing be upon the Work, and those that shall take example by it; whilst, with sincerity of heart, I shall take up that of the Prophet David: Not unto us, O Lord, etc.   
Upon the communication of this Paper, the whole House of Burgmote (who till then had me in some suspicion for aiming at matter of private advantage to myself, so far at least as until I were reimbursed) was so exceedingly, not only satisfied, but taken with my Proposals, as after an unanimous approbation and applause, they voted and gave out in writing under their Town-Clerks hand, an Order for a Committee to give me a meeting in the new Market-house, for considering, consulting, and concluding a way for settling the whole affair according to my own desire, as by this following Copy will appear.  


Civitas Cantuar.  Cur' Burgomati tenta ibidem die Martis, scilicet, septimo die Novembris, anno Regni Domini nostri Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliae, etc. Decimo septimo.  
Whereas John Somner Gent. out of a further desire and intention of the public good, honour, and benefit of this City and Country, hath been pleased to present unto this Court certain good proposals concerning the Market-house at the Bulstack; thereby declaring his mind and good intent touching the same: It is ordered by this Court, that the said proposals and every of them shall and are hereby accepted and approved of. And to the end that the said Marketplace, and other the Superstructures and things in the said Proposals mentioned, may be the better settled and established by this Court, according to the desire, mind, and intent of the said John Somner; and for the better satisfaction of the said John Somner, It is though fit, and ordered by this Court, That the Mayor of the said City, or any five or six of the Aldermen, whereof the Mayor to be one, or any Ten of the Common-Councel, whereof the Recorder to be one, shall meet together on Friday next at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, at the said Marketplace called the Bulstack-Market, and shall confer with the said John Summoner about the same: and what shall by them be thought requisite and necessary for the ordering, serling, and establishing of the said Marketplace, and other things in the said Proposals mentioned, shall certify at the next Burghmote.  
Lovelace.   
One thing which I principally designed and expected to be gratified in by the Town (although of no particular advantage to myself) was, a Free-Market. By long observation and experience I had found the want of it, and the dishonour and damage both● redounding to the City by the contrary. For, through the overrigorous exacting of Tole by the Clerk of the Market, (who gave the City but a short account of it, and is besides, a person who stands branded by themselves upon Record, for several miscarriages in his place) the Sellers were and are wont to hid up a good part of their wares, and not bring them forth into the Market, but by parcels, whereby the Buyer can not have his choice, but must take what he finds at the Sellers price, or be gone. Hereof a multitude both in Town and Country daily complaining, I could not but study the remedying of it.  
This (the Free-Market) went down with the Corporation very well at first, and because their Cl●rk (if the Market were enfranchised and set free) might suffer somewhat in the matter of his livelihood, they were very forward to declare themselves contented (for the publics sake) to be put upon the seeking out some expedient (at their own charge). for making him a compensation, and (by some overtures from me) soon found that a small matter would do it. But not long after, by his endeavours with the Chamberlain, (than whom none more forward for a Free-Market, when the house was setting up) and some other of the Leading party in the House, (a sort of private vulgar spirited men, whereof no Society was ever yet free) this Trifle, this inconsiderable retrenching of their present Market-Clerks income, must carry the name of a just occasion for altering their minds, and putting a stop (as it did) to the business; so that at the time and place appointed, I giving them a meeting to treat of a way of Settlement, such doubts were cast, and objections made, (in that particular especially) that I plainly perceiving they were quite and clean gon● off from their former votes, and intended nothing less than a settlement of the business according to my Proposals and their own Votes, could not but show myself sensible of the disappointment; and thereupon in some discontent, desired a dissolving of their Meeting, and went my way.  
They perceiving it, and thinking it somewhat too early to break off with me so soon, (as the malevolent party more than seemed willing enough to do) consulted and found an expedient for removing this impediment, and mastering this difficulty; but not until by my proffers and condescensions I had yielded to them so far in the qualifying and regulating that matter of a Free-Market, as fully to satisfy all opposers, by my consenting to the tolling of all things in a manner, excepting only that which is not the third part of what things are tollable, Pigs and Poultry.  
And now the matter (of Settlement) was afresh propounded in Burgmote, where (after thanks returned me for my condescensions) it was then agreed to proceed, and writings voted to be drawn up between us, to settle it accordingly. And drawn they were, whereat upon perusal I taking some exceptions, as finding them not according to my propositions, in several particulars, I made the Burgmote acquainted with them; who by Mr. Recorder satisfying me, as to the main of my exceptions, so as we were arrived at a right understanding of each others meaning, I was now ready for a close with them upon their own terms; and by the mediation of the same hand that before, signifying so much unto them at the next Burgmote after, they once more resumed the business, and entered into a fresh debate about it.  
By this time (by the means of a pragmatical menber of the House, who looking AWRY both on the Founder and his Work, and from the first taken all occasions to evidence his disaffection and dissant) the opposite party was grown so strong, that the result of this debate was not only a dissent and protest against their proceeding with me, but a casting off the business with a plain and uncivil jeer. For in regard the repairs were to be cast on the Corporation (a burden nevertheless so inconsiderable as cannot amount to 20 s. per annum, for an age; or rather no burden at all, in regard the benefit of a room under the Stair case, which was offered them, would more than recompense it:) they would none of it, they would not (forsooth) take a house to keep it in repair, for me and my brother to walk in.  
Truth is (by the Propositions) a reservation there is of mine and my brother's interest in one of the rooms during our lives, in common with the Corporation, and yet (as they were assured) but at spare times only when the Corporation had no occasion to use it themselves. And besides, we are (they know) persons well in years, and (unless they fear our Ghosts may haunt the place after we are dead) cannot probably trouble them long with our walking there; our walk being now down the hill, and by course of nature near an end. See by the way (courteous Reader) how studious these men are to find and cast obstructions in the way of their own advantage, and to ward and stave off an intended boon! And on the contrary, how willing I have been to remove their obstructions, and how loath to be put upon turning that to my private emolument, which I intended for a public good!  
To sum up their objections: 1. They must abridge their Clerk of the Market of some inconsiderable part of his profit, which he may very well spare: how un-advised else was that Townsman, whose offer, though refused, was, if he might have the place, to do all the duties of it; to admit of a Free-Market, and yet to pay the City 5 l. per annum? 2. They must be at perhaps 20 s. charge per annum in repairs; and have more than recompense for it by that room under, the Stairs. 3. They must permit the Founder and his Brother (ancient men both) to inter-common with them in the use of one of the rooms, at spare times.  
How trivial, how ridiculous, how insignificant, and empty are these exceptions, shall I call them, or these cavils! What little or no detriment or discommodity doth or can attend them, compared with the great commodity and advantage which by the Proposals, if embraced, would redound (in point sof accommodation) to the Magistrates and the Companies, for Meetings and Treatments; and (in point of Charity) to the Poor, by a constant stock and provision of Corn there to be stored up for them, towards which and for seconding me in my intended handsel, divers Gentlemen and others (who now will do nothing) had declared their forwardness in such a bountiful way of contribution, as probably both the Storehouses, (the two upper rooms) capable of Fourscore quarters of Corn, would shortly have been full? What a shame must it needs be the whilst to the City, and how can they answer it to posterity especially, to suffer so public, so pregnant and permanent a boon and benefit to their Corporation and the Poor, not easily to be matched in a case of this nature, all the Kingdom over, for ever to miscarry and be lost, rather than accept it upon conditions so east of porformance; so very easy, I say, as being now refused, they can never, whilst the memory of this ingratitude doth last, reasonably expect to be tried with the same, or the like again?  
Yet refused them they have. And since they have had no more reason, I am resolved (without harkening to any further treaty with them, after so much baffling) to show that I have not so little, as to obtrude, squander, and cast away all my cost, my kindness, and my charity (wherein I had it in my mind to have proceeded, by doing somewhat towards the City's accommodation and supply with, what is much wanting to it, more Water,) upon such unworthy, ungrateful objects: or to woe them to accept of that, which, if they had any courtship, they had reason to employ it in persuading me to part with. But since what, like a good Citizen, I once intended for the City's public commodity, is rejected, I shall, like a good husband, take it home and convert it to my own private advantage, all but the Corn, which I shall bestow where it may be better accepted.  
And in so doing, whether I be to blame or not, I am willing to refer to the judgement of any but such thankless persons as those (the malevolent vulgar party among them, I mean; for them only I brand, which, yet, it seems, are the more prevalent party) I have had to deal withal: a sort of men that have no sense of the Cities either ornament or honour; no regard to the Poors, either relief or prayers; studying only matter of present profit to themselves, and thinking that cannot be a good work or thankworthy, which requires any whit at all of contribution from themselves, to complete or maintain it: but are ready, with Judas, to reckon all as waste, that goes beside the bag: nothing to be acceptable, but what is profitable: All but trash that brings no cash to the Chamber. But having appealed unto others for their judgement, I may perhaps be blamed for anticipating it with mine. If so, I crave pardon, and, with full submission, cast myself upon the verdict of any but those who have dealt so unthankfully and unworthily with  
The humble Appellant John Somner.  
FINIS.