TO The Right Honourable ASSEMBLY, The Lords, Knights, Esquires, AND Burgesses of the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament:  
THE Humble Petition of the Ancient Overseers, Rulers and Assistants of the Company of Watermen.  
Wherein is showed, How intolerably they have been abused and slandered, with false accusations, by divers Refractory and abusive Watermens, who have misled many others to their faction.  
Their odious slanders being here truly confuted, and the Innocence of the Rulers declared.  
By john Taylor.  
LONDON, Printed by John Hammond, 1642.   

TO The Right Honourable the Assembly of the Knight's Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament. The humble Petition of the Overseers, Rulers and Assistants of the Watermens.  
Most humbly Sheweth,  
THat whereas divers months past the petitioners presented to this Honourable Assembly, a Bill to be passed, as an Act of Parliament for the better Government of the generality of Watermens, which bill being twice read, was committeed. And whereas the said Watermen exhibited a scandalous Petition against your petitioners, thereby most unjustly charging them with diver grievances, which petition was likewise committeed to the same Committee.  
May it please this Honourable Assembly to be informed, that some of the Watermens (though the Bill was preferred by the consent of such who are trusted by the generality, and containeth nothing but that which tendeth to the good of the Company) were so fare enraged, and incensed against your petitioners, that they threatened to raise many thousand watermen to be present at the Committee, to oppose your petitioners proceed; And that they would cut some of your petitioners in pieces, and destroy some of them, as Doctor Lamb was murdered, and they so affronted and threatened your petitioners counsel, that (at one time) they durst nor appear for your petitioners at the Committee; And some of them, namely Joshuah Church, boasted, that now during this parliament-time, they were free from all Government; And needed not in any thing to obey your petitioners their Rulers.  
Insomuch, as by means thereof, divers great disorders and outrages have been lately committed by some of them, even in the view of some of your petitioners, who for fear of being murdered by them, did not dare to interpose their authority.  
Now for as much as by reason of your fare more weighty and important Affairs, you have been pleased for a time to surcease any farther proceed in this our cause; and for that we have Just cause to fear (touching which, some of us have taken our oaths before Justices of the peace) that except some provident course be speedily taken to prevent the same, there will be violences offered to our persons, to the hazard of our lives, and many other outrages committed by the rude multitude, who (in all their courses) are much guided and persuaded by the said Joshuah Church.  
May it therefore please this Honourable Assembly, that it shall so seem good unto you in your grave wisdoms to convent before you the said Joshuah Church, and the rest above named, and strictly to enjoin them not only to forbear to animate and encourage the generality in their disobed once, but (what shall in them lie) to persuade them to be conformable to the Orders, or Rules of Government, 80 years past, established by the Lords of his Majesty's privy Counsel, the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen and Judge of the Admiralty, which your petitions are by their Oaths bound to be careful to see to be performed.  
And as touching the redress of their pretended grievances, there is a course prescribed unto them by the Stature of the second and third of Philip and Mary, to appeal to the Court of the L. Major and Aldermen of London, nevertheless your petitioners shall in all humbleness submit themselves to any other course to be taken therein, by this Honourable Assembly for the more speedy preventing of such mischieses, as otherwise are like to ensue.  
And your Petitioners, as otherwise bound, shall humbly pray for the blessing of God, on all your Counsels and resolutions.  
The Overseers have always since the Stat. 2 & 3. Phil. & Mary (concerning watermens) yearly made choice of the disscreetest and best sort of Watermen, 
And now, to the ●ntent that all t●● world 〈◊〉 take 〈◊〉 & know 〈◊〉 many watermen ha●● 〈◊〉 misled and persuaded out of their moneys, and from all obedience, Rule and Order, & also what Grievous slanders have been laid upon the overseers & Ruler, on purpose to bring all government into contempt, & confusion, I will relate some parts of the Articles wherewith they charge the Rulers withal in Parliament, with a true confutation of them, and disproof of all their most Jnjurious scandalts. Most humbly beseeching, that if the Objections be proved true, Laid against the Rulers, they may receive such deserved punishment as their demerits; otherwise that it may be inflicted upon their unjust accusers. All which we most humbly leave to, etc.  for election of Overseers and Rulers (without consent of the generality) And have yearly presented the same to the L. Maior, and Court of Aldermen, who have these 86. years, elected and sworn them. And for any of the Overseers or Assistants, receiving bribes, as they are charged withal; It is humbly desired that the delinquents be punished, if any such proofs appear, whether Accusors' or Accused.  
Whereas they allege, that Overseers at first admittance do take an oath of secrecy not to reveal the Bribes taken, or how disposed of, it is humbly desired that Rob. Gibbs, Wil Smith, Thomas Blackman, who have been Overseers (and are our opposites) be examined who administered any such oath unto them  
Whereas they falsely charge the Overseers for extorting 5 l. from Lau. Watson, before he could be made free, who having served his Mr. about 6. years and a half (he then being in the King's service) his Mr. and Dame dying, he fell by Order to the disposing of the Overseers: whose time expited, and coming to be made free, the Company demanded 6 Month's wages of him (for the use of their poor) which was 4 l. 4 s. of which sum he paid the Company 30 s. the rest they gave him back to buy , which was 54 s. which is upon the Companies account, in the year 1629 under the Auditor's hands.  
Next, they accuse the overseers for receiving 10 l. of T. Gyllet, who as they say served but 2. years of his time, and that the said 10 l. should privately be given as a bribe to Andr. Bartlet, to make Gyllet free, which is a slander, for Gyllet was in the year 1604. hired by one Rob. Washfield, whom he served above 3. year, and served the remainder of his time with Rich. Oxford; for the 10 l. It was, at his making free, 1631. given to the poor of the company in open Court, the said Gyllet standing 28 years upon our Register before his making free. And after in the year 1632. John Heather one of the Overseers, now opposite) charged J. Taylor, one of the Assistants (for receiving the same 10 l. of Gyllet, as a bribe to make him free) for which slander, Taylor brought his Action against the slanderer, and recovered of him Costs and Damage, in Guildhall.  
And for William Cooper served one Thomas Burbydge of Wapping 3 years before this Master entered him, the said Burbidge still promising his servant that he should lose no time (as was confidently affirmed by his dame, before he was made free) and after being entered for seven years, he served five year, and almost a quarter; he gave no bribe to the company, but some moneys to the poor, which is passed upon their account, 1631.  
So that Cooper was 8. years and a quarter on the River, before his freedom.  
John Durfor having served out his years, was made free for the ordinary fine, which all other Bachelors pay, being 3 s. 4 d.  
And for Lewis Watkins, the widow Lewis her son, he served full 7. years, and was made free in October, 1637. for the ordinary Bachelors fine, 3 s. 4 d. without any bribe at all, yet our adversaries are not ashamed to slander us with ta- 24 s. 8 d. bribe.  
Whereas the overseers are charged with extorting moneys from the general, yet that for confirmation of their book of Orders, for 20. years last passed, which is most untrue, for the book of Orders was confirmed in Anno 1626. and Bachelors at their making free, did of their good wills give some 2 s. some 2 s. 6 d. and some 1 s. or 1 s. 6 d. for the space of 6. years after, and never penny was taken since 1612. which is passed upon the Account under the Auditor's hands, as may appear, as 〈◊〉 other moneys by them received for fines are: and it is certain, that the Book cost the company above 115 l. before it was confirmed.  
Abraham Plasted paid nothing when he was admitted to Row but a friend of his (a Fruiterer in Southwark) did give to the poor of the Company in 1631. and is upon the account 〈◊〉  
Whereas they complain that the Overseers for a bribe, have made one Simon Keyn free, which is untrue, for he was made free by a reference from his Majesty, as under a Master of the Requests hand may appear, when we are commanded to produce it.  
And for one William Parrot, that should be made free for a bribe, we know no such Watermen in the River.  
And further, they charge the Overseers with taking another bribe of seven Pounds for a servant turned over unto him of the Goodwife Slyes, which Goodwife Sly had her husband then taken captive at Argier, with Turks, and that the Rulers did take the servant from the poor woman (he b●ing then all the means to maintain her and 2 Children, whom the Rulers are slandered to sell Allen for 7. pound, which is also most false and untrue, for this servant, which the Overseers are so unjustly charged for contrary to our knowledges was, which John Heath one of the Overseers now Opposer) who held him contrary to order, and never was paid one penny to the Hall for him: this is a most mallitious slander.  
And for one Cooper's son, that should be made Free for a bribe, we know no such thing done, neither was any such made free.  
And for the servant that was crossed out of our Register for misdemeanour by H. Quenbrough his Mr. and after entered to one John Kyrkham; Kyrkam paid no bribe, though you are bold to say the contrary) but the ordinary charges for entrance, is 2 s. 2 d. which he is ready to affirm, and depose.  
Whereas the Overseers are charged with a bribe o● 20 s. taken of Marrhew Pryte, for a servant turned unto him, which is untrue, for the Oversers took of him but 10 s. for selling his servant to his brother (being a Land man) contrary to order, which was but half his fyne, and it is upon the Accounted.  
And for extorting forty shilling from John Buck, it is false, for he paid to the poor but 20 s. which is also upon the account, also he paid the said money by 4. or 3 s. a year, and was at the least 4. years in paying it.  
And for Aaron Evans, his paying 5 l. for a bribe, is untrue, as he will depose the contrary, that he paid not the value of one penny.  
And for Henry Lide, nothing was paid for not paying his quarterage, though we are taxed to take 10 s. neither was he threatened to be imprisoned; for how could Lide pay Quarterage at the Waterman's Hall, he being absent 3. years, and from the East Indies.  
And for the complaint made concerning the widow Wright and the extorting forty shillings from one Cook, as a bride, that Cook should have the widow's servant, is altogether untrue and scandals are.  
Wheareas' M. Rob. Clark is charged to take 20 l. for a Bribe, of one John Clerk for an Apprentice, it is a slander, for the Apprentice was Rob. Clarks and he (in leive of only 5 l.) did with leave, let him to John Clark for 2. years.  
And for extorting forty shillings from Christopher Parker, before his Apprintice-hood was expired, is most untrue, as all slanders are.  
David William's for keeping his servant 6. Months, contrary to order, his fines for the same being 15. shillings, he paid only 8. shillings at the entrance of his man; which money is upon the Account. 16 35.  
Josias bend was committed to the Counter for abusing the Company, in saying, They would make any man free for money.  
And for William Brewton, he brought certificate, that his time was expired before his Marriage, and the suggestions against us concerning him, is altogether untrue.  
And for Luke furnell, paying 5 s. it is most untrue, and a mere fiction.  
And for Thomas Blackman, a late Ruler, finding the Rulers to take Bribes, as he slanders them, Indeed he did in his time, persuade the Company to make an Apprentice free for a Bribe of 6 l. which they would not do; the apprentice than was not, nor yet is out of his time) and after, Blackman being put out of the Hall, he Petitioned the Lord Maior, and Court of Aldermen, with most untrue complaints, where he was disproved in all his allegations, and dismissed from any more being Ruler or Assistant, as by an order of Court, and his submission under his own hand appeareth.  
Whereas the Overseers are charged with extorting a bribe of 5 s. from Andrew Cuttler, for saving his man from whipping, it is very untrue, neither can any thing be proved in all that complaint.  
And for the overseers extorting 4 l. 3 s. from Thomas Harwood is most untrue, he kept a servant unentred eighteen months contrary to order, whereby his fines came to 3 l. And the company being at 40 s. charge, to bring him to conformity, they received of him for all, but 25 s. which is passed upon the account, 1637. also we have testimony under the hands of most substantial men in Putney, of the bad carriage, and behaviour of the said Harwood; and the Rulers have also Harwoods' Confession, and submission under his own hand, and his sins to the full were more than 8 l.  
And for the extorting 5 s. from James Webb. it is untrue, nor did any Ruler ever show so little discretion, as to be so familiar, to drink with an Apprentice, and to set him at liberty for a pint of Wine.  
Robert Browne, for being behindhand 4. years, and three quarters, and not paying his quarterage, according to order, which is but 2 d. a quarter, which he should pay once a year, it being 3 s. 6 d., was the 15 day of January 1639. committed to the Counter; and then he caused the Company to be by Warrant brought before Master Recorder, who upon reading the Order for the same, enjoined Brown to submit himself unto it, which he did the fifth of February, 1639. and paid 5 s. for his time, which is passed upon the Account, 1639.  
And for the second complaint concerning James Weeb. and his wife, and his servant, it is altogether most untrue and malicious.  
William Early paid his Master 5. of 20 s. for ceiling his man's time or Apprenticeship to himself, and be as a freeman, which is passed upon the Account. 1639.  
And for his Master, William Teero, who should likewise have paid, he paid no fine at all.  
John Middleton was committed to the Counter for abusing the Overseers in their Hall, and saying, Who had to do with his man's playing at Dice, which is contrary to Apprentices Indentures, and never was any sum of xls. demanded of him.  
Thus is truly declared Part of the fowl standers which they have (not only been so Jmpudent, as to prefer them in a Bill to the Homorable House of Commons in Parliament; they have also reported the said lies to many worthy Gentlemen and others (whom they have carried by water) by which means they caused many men of quality to believe them, to the great disgrace of 40 ancient men, 14. of them being his Majesty's servants, 2. of them being Esquiers, and the most of them subsidy-men And on the 3. of March last, 1641. they most falsely and maliciously affirmed before the Right Honourable, the L. Maior, and Court of Aldermen, that the Rulers were twice Voted against in Parliament, which is so far from truth, that it is certain, the cause was yet never heard in Parliament; and that Honourable Court will never Vote against men before a hearing. Thus by slanders, clamours, threaten, multitudes, noises, voices, most odious and shameless lies carried it against us; some of them have not been sparing to abuse his Majesty, to wrong the High Court of Parliament, to vilify the Lord Maior, and Court of Aldermen, using all bad means (to the furthering of their Projects) against us; so that if we should write one quarter of the wrongs we have suffered by them, the Book would outswell the patience of the Reader, but by this that hath been said, the rest may be conjectured.  
There are no Governors of any Company that are in such servile command to make account to every Idle fellow of their proceed in their Halls, or places of meeting: nor can any Rules be so perfect, but some errors will happen, as long as men are men. But for us to be thus odiously traduced and slandered, we thought it best to declare it to the world, lest by concealing of it, we should be accounted Insensibly stupid, or extremely Guilty.  
They have formerly slandered the Rulers with counterfeiting his Majesty's hand, and pressing men into Germany, eleven years ago; and that the King's Subjects were bought and sold for money, all which was 10 years passed proved false, for the King did affirm the warrants to be signed with his own hand, and the service to be his Majesties (therefore it is reason the men that served, should be paid) But for the Rulers buying or selling of any men, they were long since cleared upon examination before the Officers of his Majesty's Navy, who signified the same under their hands, to the Lords of the Privy Counsel, which Certificate and warrant the Rulers have to show. Yet these uncivil men are not ashamed to tax them now again with the same.  
In 1634. they requested John Tailor to take some pains to move his Majesty, and the Lords for the suppressing of Hackney Coaches; they made a collection of 6 d. or 12 d. apiece from many of them, to bear the Suit, so that Taylor Received xixl. 4 s. of them, he was 16. Months about it, and what with passing by water, and expenses, and fees to Masters of Requests, Clerks of the Counsel, the Signet, and other Officers, and passing of seals, it cost Taylor 34 l. besides loss of time, but the Nineteenth of Jan. 1635. There was a strict Proclamation for the total suppressing of all Hackney Coaches out of London and Westminster, which Proclamation is yet to be seen, and fit to be observed; but for all the pains, charge, and loss of time, some shameless fellows do tax Tailor with cozening them of their money.  
But to conclude, the Rulers do dare their oposers to make what proofs they can against them of any crimes, they are so unjustly charged withal; which the Rulers are as innocent as confident, that never any thing shall be proved, nor will any of their adversaries ever dare to go about it.  
FINIS.