THat great quantities of Plate, Bullion, and the heavy currant Silver Coynes of this Nation, (as Shillings, Sixpences and Half-Crowns, and Five ſhilling pieces) have been formerly, and are at this day melted down, for the making of Gilt and Silver Thread and Wyer Spangles, Oas, 52 Purl, &c. to the great waſte of the Stock of this Nation.

By which evil Practices many miſchiefs and damages have been and are daily put on the Common-wealth, which ought ſtrictly to bee prevented, moſt eſpecially in this conjuncture of time when wee have Warrs with Spain.

That your Highneſs would bee graciouſly pleaſed for the future, not to ſuffer either Refiner, Goldſmith, or Wyer-drawer to melt the Coyn or Plate of the Nation, to make Gold or Silver Wyer or Thread, but that all Silver imploied or ſpent in this manufacture bee bought or contracted for beyond Seas, upon the produce and returns of Commodities; And that none of the Coyn or Plate of the Nation be ſpent or wrought in this manufacture upon the ſevereſt penalties can bee inflicted on the Offenders.

That the late King and his Counſel in Anno 1635. taking into their conſideration the great loſs hee ſuſtained in his Cuſtoms, by ſuffering this manufacture to bee in England, did cauſe a Duty to bee impoſed on Gold and Silver Wyer, which was made into Silver Thread, Spangles, Purls and Oas; the ſumm of Six pence the ounce Troy, (which is not two pence upon the ounce Venice) upon Gold and Silver thread, commonly ſo called; but it is truly gold and ſilver Silk, for the Silver is all ſpun on Silk. May it pleaſ your Highneſs, the Book of Rates in the Cuſtom-houſe laies eight groats upon one pound Venice, which, upon accompt, is above ſix pence the ounce Troy in Wyer (as upon Examination before the Counſel of Trade your Petitioner ſhall make it clearly appear).

That if your Highneſs do continue the making of gold and ſilver wyer and thread here, That your Highneſs will bee pleaſed to recommend it to the Committee for Trade, 53 to take eſpecial ca•e to prevent the frauds and dammages now daily done and practiſed in this manufacture; And to make ſuch Orders and Rules for the Trade, that there may bee a thorow Reformation of falſe, ſleight, and deceitfull ſtuff, upon very ſtrict penalties: And for the due execution of the ſame, the Committee of Trade to conſider and ſettle ſuch Officers, and their Fees for their paines, as they ſhall deem fiting, to prevent the by-paſt Abuſes; And to report the ſame Regulation to your Highneſs and your Counſell for Confirmation.

That if your Highneſs continue this manufacture here, That then as great an Excize bee laid on it here, as is laid on the Cuſtom and Impoſt of Gold and Silver thread, imported from Millan, Venice, or other Forain parts: For the making of ſilver thread here, hinders the importation of ſo much Silver as would bee brought in on that manufacture, which Silver will increaſe the ſtock of the Nation. And this manufacture being made here (as it is now made) without order or Rule both for fineneſs and weight of Silver, and without conſideration had what your Highneſs and the Common-wealth loſeth in the Cuſtoms, by ſuffering it to bee made here, and the waſte of the Coyne, Plate and Bullion of the Nation, (without a due regulation of this manufacture) it is far better for the Commonwealth to have the making totally put down.

May it pleaſ your Highneſs, Much may bee alledged and pleaded for the making this manufacture here, ſo it may bee juſtly made; as that it keeps and maintains a lively hood for many thouſand perſons and families in and about the City of London, which would periſh, if this manufacture were put down. A juſt and ſtrict regulation will bee better for the Work-men and the Trades-men (ſuch as are honeſt, and would not adulterate their Lace, Ribbons, Spangles, &c. in this manufacture) And bee greatly advantagious 54 to the wearers, The Coyn and Bullion of this Nation will bee preſerved, and your Highneſs Revenue much increaſed, If the draught for the juſt and due regulation of the manufacture of Gold and Silver wyer and thread (which your Petitioner herewith moſt humbly preſents to you Highneſs) bee put in due execution, with ſuch alterations and additions as the Committe for Trade in their great wiſedoms ſhall think fit for your Highneſs and the Common-wealths Service.

Your Petitioner humbly praies, That the premiſſes may by your Highneſs bee recommended to the Committee for Trade, and they Ordered,

1. To conſider, Whether it bee fit (at this conjuncture of time) to continue the making of this manufacture here in England.

2. If they conceive the manufacture ſtill may bee made here for the relief and imployment of the Poor, That then the Committee of Trade bee Ordered by your Highneſs to ſet down ſuch Rules and Waies, as they in their Judgments ſhall think fit, to prevent all former Frauds and Abuſes put upon the Coyn of this Nation: And that aſmuch Excize may bee laid on the Silver Wyer and Thread, as is paid to your Highneſs and the Commonwealth in the Cuſtom-houſe, if the Silver Thread were imported from beyond Seas into this Nation, Which will increaſ your Highneſs Revenue ſome thouſands of pounds yearly. And that your Petitioner may bee Ordered by your Highneſs to attend the Committee for Trade with his draught for the regulation of this Manufacture: And (as in duty bound) your Petitioner ſhall pray, &c.

May it pleaſ your Highneſs;

THe late King Charles and his Privy Counſel would never ſuffer, that the ſilver courrant Coins or Plate of the Nation ſhould bee waſt•d in this Manufacture, for the making of gold or ſilver Thread: What the Refiners and Wyerdrawers did ſpend of the Plate and Coin, in theſe Manufactures, it was and is againſt the Laws of the Land: And by the very Monopolie that the King granted to Alderman Wollaſton and Aldermam Gibbs, An. 1636. for to be his onely Agents for refining one Hundred thouſand pounds a year of Forrain Silver, for making this Manufacture; yet, in that Project of Gibbs and Wollaſton they Covenant with the King, not to Refine or cauſ to bee melted down any the Courrant Coin or Plate of the Nation; and that they ſhould melt none but Forrain Bullion which ſhall be Imported for the making this aforeſaid Manufacture; And many of the Privy Counſel then were for the total putting down of the making and wearing this Manufacture here in England, as cauſing an exceſſive Expence to all Sorts and Conditions of people, as being a Vanitie that the Nation might well bee without: But then it was conſidered by the King and his Counſell, the multitude of Women ſpinſters and other people that had their ſubſiſtance out of it; and, in that regard, the Manufacture was continued (but under ſtrict Rules for the due Regulation, and that all the Workers ſhould conform to the ſame, and they did promiſe 56 an humble conformity:) and I Thomas Violet was appointed, under the Great Seal of England, to take the care and Charge of Sealing and Surveying all theſe Manufactures, to prevent the former cheating and Coſennage both of Wyerdrawers, Silkmen, and Refiners. The ſeveral frauds I clearly proved, under the hand of Mr Jackſon, the ſworn Aſſay-maſter of Goldſmiths hall; and I cut and defaced all ſleight. courſ, and deceitfull gold or ſilver Thread, Spangles, wyer &c. which Office I did juſtly and faithfully execute for almoſt Five years, and prevented all former Abuſes, and cauſed the workmen to work their ſilver for theſe Manufactures as exactly and juſtly as the Plate or Money of the Nation is made, during the time I regulated the Manufacture by my ſealing of it. This I have proved, under the hand of many hundred Spinſters who petitioned for the Reſtoring mee to my Office again.

Your Petitioners moſt humble prayer to your Highneſs is, that the Honorable Committee for Trade, now having this Buſineſs under their examination, and (having the particulars in this Petitition in conſideration) may bee by your Highneſs ordered to make their Report, and to take care for the preſervation of the Bullion and Coins of the Nation: And that all Silver made for this Manufacture bee melted at a Publique place, and Viewed, and Regiſtred; that ſo none of the Coins or Plate of the Nation bee melted down for any of theſe Manufactures: And to appoint ſuch Officers as they ſhall conceiv may bee fit for the regulating of all Abuſes in the Manufacture, and for the beſt advantage of your Highneſs.

The honorable Committee for Trade have given the wyerdrawers and Refiners ſeveral dayes for the propounding of wayes for regulating of the ſaid Trade, and to prevent the abuſes by-paſt, and to preſerve the Coin and treaſure of the Nation. But (inſtead of that) the Wyerdrawers have preſented the Draught of a Corporation to the Committee of Trade; which, if it ſhould bee granted unto them in that way they have preſented the ſame, They would melt, and cauſ the Goldſmiths to melt for their uſe (in a few years) all the heavie Gold and Silver, Coin and Plate of this Nation. And indeed they 57 are come to that confidence, that they think to cozen all people that wear Gold and Silver; And to get a Charter for the doing thereof, that ſo they may work Iniquitie by a Law.

THere was a Complaint made to the late King Charles and the Lords of his Privy Counſel, January 25. 1634. And an Information given by ſome of the Wardens of the Company of Goldſmiths, touching the detriment and dammage which ariſeth by the undue Practices of ſome Refiners and Gold-wyerdrawers of London, by melting the currant Coynes and Bullion of the Nation: And ſeveral Depoſitions againſt the Refiners of London were preſented to the King and his Counſel at White-hall, of very high and heynous Crimes by ſome of the Wardens and Company of Goldſmiths; and no doubt but the Company of the Goldſmiths have the Copies of theſe Papers in their Hall. There-upon, Mr Attorney General Bankes received a Command from the ſaid King and Lords to proſecute the Statute of 4. Hen. 7^th againſt ſuch Refiners and Gold-wyer-drawers as hee ſhould finde to bee Offenders, and to ſee the Penalties might bee recovered. And upon further examination of theſe moſt heynous Offences, an Information was put into the Starr-Chamber by the Kings Attorney General Bankes againſt Alderman Wollaſton and Alderman Gibbs, for melting and procuring ſeveral Goldſmiths to cull and melt the currant Silver Coynes of the Nation; And for the unlawfull buying and refining of the ſaid heavy currant Engliſh Monies, and for unlawfull buying and refining Gold and Silver, and for ſeveral other Abuſes practiſed by them, contrary to the Laws and Statutes of the Nation (as appeareth at large by the Kings Attornies Information in the Starr-Chamber againſt them.)

Some of the Wyer-drawers of London, ſeeing the Winde blow at that Corner, to prevent the danger approaching on them, petition 58 the ſaid late King in the behalf of themſelvs and divers other Wyer-drawers of the City of London, the ſecond of April 1635. In which Petition they ſet forth, that there are many Abuſes daily practiſed and done in the ſaid Trade of Gold and Silver-wyer-drawing, and the manufuctures thereof; and that their Trade was under no Government; That they deſired his Majeſties moſt gracious care in ſuppreſsing the promiſcuous uſe, by ordering them into a Government. Therefore they pray, That ſuch as have ſerved for the Trade, or ſuch as they ſhould deem fit to uſe the ſame; and one or two Refiners, that may refine Gold and Silver to bee uſed in the Trade, may bee made a Corporation with a non obſtante of the Statute of 4. Hen. 7. or any other Statute or Proclamation.

And that they may bee Incorporated, and have two Wardens and twelve Aſsiſtants, and to have a fitting Officer for their Company and raiſing money for neceſſary Charges; And that no Gold or Silver thread may bee put to ſale, unleſs it bee ſealed with ☞This Reſtraint ought now to bee carefully looked after; and to make the melting down of Shillings, Sixpences, half Crowns, and five Shilling pieces, Felony; And ſtrictly to forbid (upon ſevere Penalties) all Goldſmiths not to preſume to bee Caſhiers and Receivers of Merchants monies, by which means they have formerly and do at this day cull and melt down the heavy Engliſh money. The Gold•miths have (by buying and ſelling Engliſh Gold above the currant price) bought and ſold all the Gold out of the Nation, to the unſpeakable dammage thereof. And now there is no other Remedy to get Gold back in the Nation, but by raiſing of it, as ſome would have it: ſhortly wee ſhall have no Silver Coyn left in the Nation, and then wee muſt raiſe that to get back our Silver again: And by this means all ſetled Revenues and Landlords will loſe ſo much in their eſtates as you raiſe Gold and Silver. the Seal of the Company. And upon theſe Conditions they offered to pay his Majeſtie, his Heirs and Succeſſors for ever One thouſand pounds yearly, and (over and above) two pence the ounce for all Forain Bullion that ſhall bee uſed in their Trade: And humbly petition, That his Majeſtie would bee pleaſed to publiſh his Proclamation, to forbid any to practiſe any the ſaid Trades or Manufactures, or Drawing or Spinning of Gold or Silver Thread or Wyer, other than ſuch as ſhould bee Incorporated.

Upon this Petition his Majeſtie granted this following Reference; viz.

This Petition I have readie to bee produced.

S^r John Bankes Attournie general certifies back to the late King, to this effect, viz. That hee did not diſcern any inconvenience, that the Gold Wyerdrawers (who offer his Majeſtie, upon their voluntary Petition, One thouſand pounds a year, and two pence for everie ounce of Bullion which ſhould bee uſed by them) ſhould bee incorporated, for their better government, according to their Petition, ſo that they bee tied to ſome certain Conditions, (amongſt which) they were not to work any of the currant heavie Monie of this Nation, nor any of the Plate of the Nation for any Manufacture of Gold or Silver Thread or Wyer: they were not to uſe any Silver in their trade, but Forrain Bullion, and no more than yearlie ſhould bee imported by their means; and the Manufacture made according to the Standard or better.

Hereupon the Refiners Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs &c. ſeeing themſellves expoſed to the Law (by the information of ſome of the Wardens and Company of the Goldſmiths informing againſt them, and Mr Attournie General Banks, by Order of the King and Lords proſecuting them in the Starr Chamber, for high Crimes and Miſdemeanors,) the Refiners viz. Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs &c. Petition the late King in An. 1635. for his grace and mercy; and making 60 their humble Application to the then Attournie general Bankes, and Sr J. Cook Secretary of State, and to Sr William Beecher, and ſeveral others, whom they paid and gratified with great ſums of money to get their pardons, I being privy thereunto, and deſired and requeſted by them to uſe all my endeavors to keep Sr John Wolaſton off from being indighted upon high Crimes and Offenſes, which Alderman Wolaſton was charged with by Sr Henry Mildemay and ſome of the Wardens of the Company of Goldſmiths, which I did by Secretary Cookes power: and I did aſsiſt them to get their Pardons, and ſpent my money, and uſed all my endeavors and intereſt freely; And at the earneſt entreatie of Alderman Gibbs, who with many tears beſought mee to do it for Gods ſake.

I having a little before made my peace, and paid to the King two thouſand Pounds for my pardon for Tranſporting Gold and Silver, and by that means being intimately acquainted with Sr John Cook then Principal Secretary of State, and Mr Attourney General Bankes and Sr William Beecher Clark of the Counſel: I could, and did get, for Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs, great favour of them. I managed their buſineſs ſo amongſt them, that the edg of Juſtice was blunted, and Sr Henry Mildemay’s Commiſsion revoked, and all his endeavors to undoe Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs I diſappointed by the power of the aforeſaid perſons. And I am confident they paid them well for it, for in thoſe times there was nothing done by Court•ers, for Cittizens, without money; and I am ſure, I, in my particular found it ſo. But I never would accept or take of Alderman Wolaſton or Alderman Gibbs (for my expenſes and pains) one farthing, though they often times then offered mee their pretended great acknowledgments: And this I do ſay is true, as I ſhall anſwer before God, I did it freely upon the account of Frendſhip I bare unto Alderman Gibbs. And how well and juſtly Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaſton requited mee for getting them their Pardons of the King, in 1636. the Common Counſel of London and many honorable members of Parlament know, and heard at a common 61 Hall, in January 1643. when Alderman Wolaſton (beeing Lord Major) and Alderman Gibbs were the chief Informers againſt mee in Guild Hall, and incenſed many honorable members of Parlament and the body of the Citie of London againſt mee, as a malignant and vicious perſon; And this Alderman Gibbs did (by along winded Speech) openly at Guild Hall. And (ſom few daies before) they abuſed and villified mee before a Committee of Parlament, at Goldſmiths Hall, and procured mee to bee ſent to the Tower through their unjuſt Information. But God in his good time will finde their iniquity out; for ſince, it hath been proved what Alderman Wolaſton hath been to the Government, and that makes him uncapable to bear Office in the Commonwealth: How God will diſpoſe of Alderman Gibbs this Parlament, that, time will preſent.

And, what Service I have don to this Nation, I moſt humbly leav it to the conſiderations of all true Engliſh men. I ſaved the Nation (at one time) three hundreed Thouſand Pounds, in the year 1652. A ſumm of money, more then all the Goldſmiths and Refiners are worth, put them all together. And in doing that ſervice (I moſt humbly ſay) I clearly ſhewed my Dutie and Affection to this Nation; and ſhewed, I was no Malignant. When Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs do ſo much for this Nation, I ſhall take them to bee better men then now I do.

After many dayes Attendance of Alderman Wolaſton, and Alderman Gibbs at the Counſel-table, and at the Attourny General S^r John Banke‘s Chamber, Upon condition that Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs ☞Their Pardons under the Great Seal of Enland will ſhew the offences they were guilty of, for men need not take a Pardon, if they be not guilty and faulty. I refer my ſelf to the paticulars in their Pardons, what offenſes they were pardoned of. might have their Pardons under the Great Seal of England, for what offenſes and abuſes (in their Trades) they had done contrary to the Laws of this Nation: and M^r Attournie Generall (by order of the King and Counſel) to ſtop his Proceedings 62 againſt them and the reſt of the Refiners, both in the Exchequer and Starr-Chamber: The Refiners, Alderman Wolaſtone and Alder. Gibbs thereupon offer to pay his Majeſtie ſix pence the ounce for all Wyer that ſhould bee diſgroſſed and ſpent in that Munufacture: And they drew in ſix other Refiners to bee their fellow Partners and Monopoliſts; and to pay the Rent of a fair houſ, above one hundred and twenty Pounds a year; to pay Clarks wages, and other incident charges.

And this Office they did execute ſeveral moneths (in the year 1635.) before the King would give Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs their pardons for their offenſes. And much adoe then they had to get their Pardons: for when their pardons were at the Signet Office, Sr Henry Mildemay got the King to ſtop their pardons. And this Sr John Cook the Secretary of State told me, That Sr Henry Mildemay had preſented to the late king, how groſly both Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaſton had abuſed the Commonwealth, contrary to the Law, and how they had ſurpriſed the King in getting their Pardons, and that they deſerved to bee made exemplar. I am ſure (according to the uſuall way of the Court) Alderman Wolaſton and Alderman Gibbs could not remove ſuch obſtructions but with great ſumms, though the particular ſumms I never knew. And I was deſired by Mr Secretry Cook, at Oatlands on Sunday after Diner, to go preſently to London to Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaston (which accordingly I did) to let them know from him, their Pardons were ſtopped by the King, and that they ſhould attend him about it; which accordingly Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaſton the next morning did. I was well acquainted (for I had paid for it) what the meaning of ſuch a meſſage was, to bee ſent by me to Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wolaſton: And I did believ that they had not come up to a full price, nor paid ſo much as was expected; and I knew that was the main ſtop of their Pardons.

Upon this Offer of the Refiners, to pay the King ſix 63 pence the ounce, (beeing aſmuch again as the Gold-wyer-drawers had offered by their Petition) the Gold-wyer-drawers were laid aſide with their Petition, and Propoſitions by the late King and his Counſel as inconſiderable perſons.

And the Refiners (Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaſton, by their craft) getting to bee great with the Attorney General Bankes, Secretary Cook, Sir William Beecher, and other Courtiers, got to bee the onely men to carry on this Project, for being the Kings Agents to furniſh One hundred thouſand pounds a year for this manufacture. And the late King (to gratifie the Refiners who had bid him ſo roundly) granted Alderman Wollaſton and Alderman Gibbs their pardons under the great Seal of England (the reſt of the Refiners being then but young men, were eſteemed as raſcal Deer, they had not wool on their Backs, nor had committed ſins enough for to have their pardons under the great Seal of England; and ſo got diſmiſſed by Order of the Lords of the Counſel in the Court of Starr-Chamber.

And the King appoints the Refiners (viz. Alderman Wollaſton, Alderman Gibbs, Henry Patrickſon, Daniel Stalworthy, William Haward, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowel and Walter Hill) under the great Seal of England, to bee called by the name of his Majeſties Agents, for the refining of One hundred thouſand pounds Gold and Silver a year for this Buſineſs; And they had not a bare title onely of that name, for the late King allowed them to ſhare with him, and to tax the People in their prizes, to ſell their gilt ſilver Wyer two pence upon every ounce, and the ſilver Wyer one penny upon every ounce more then divers Goldſmiths of London offered to ſell the Wyer-drawers. And this was offered ſeveral times by Captain Williams (the late Kings Goldſmith) a man of a great and vaſt Eſtate, Mr Footer, Mr Symonds, and divers other able rich men; And good ſecuritie offered to the late Kings Commiſsioners, and at the 64 Counſel Table at Whitehall, for the performing of Covenants: But this would not bee granted by the late King or his Counſel.

And this gave the great Offence in Parlament, 16•0. it being found by the Parlament upon Examination, that ſo great and numerous a company as the Company of Goldſmiths and Gold-wyer-drawers are, ſhould bee debarred ſo great a branch in their Trade as this is; For it will be juſtified, and credibly demonſtrated to your Highneſs and the Parlament, that theſe aforeſaid eight Refiners (whereof Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaſton had one half of the Trade and ſtock, as appears by the Monopolie) got more for their own particular profit, by monopolizing to themſelves the ſale of all Gold and Silver Wyer for this Manufacture, being one hundred thouſand pounds a year, then all the Goldſmiths in London, which are many hundred families, did get at that time by ſelling all the new Plate in London; (And, I am confident, all knowing Goldſmiths will calculate it ſo;) which was and is the principal part of the Goldſmiths Trade.

The Duty reſerved to the King in lieu of his Cuſtoms, was nothing ſo odious to the Wyer-drawers (in compariſon) as the Refiners Monopoly was. The Wyer-drawers conſtantly affirmed to the King and his Counſel, and to the Kings Commiſſioners, that the Refiners Monopoly was contrary to Law; and upon a diſpute at the Counſell Table, the King called the Refiners (Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaſton) his Sheep, and the Wyerdrawers he called his Goats; (but in the concluſion both theſe Refining Aldermen proved the Kings Majeſties Sheep biters:) And the late King preſſed the Wyer-drawers at his Counſell Table to conform themſelvs to the Regulation; but ſome of the Wyer-drawers told the ſaid King, They would ſubmit to the Law, but not to the Refiners Monopoly; and that it was againſt the Law, that Freemen of the City of London ſhould bee reſtrained a Free Market, to enrich 65 private men, and to make them Aldermen. Beſides, the Gold-wyer-drawers were compelled upon great penalties (as appears by their Bonds) to buy no Silver wyer for their manufacture, but of the ſaid Alderman Wallaſton, Alderman Gibbs, and the other ſix Pat•ntees joined with them; and oftentimes the Refiners (Gibbs and Wollaſton) preſſed the Commiſsioners to cauſe ſearches; and complaining they were at great charges paying Clerks wages and Houſrent; and therefore deſired ſearches and ſeiſures of ſuch Wyer-drawers ſilver which did not buy of them: And they forced all perſons to pay them two pence the ounce for all gilt wyer, and a penny the ounce for all ſilver wyer more then they ought or needed to have done, had the Wyer-drawers been permitted to have had a free market. And the Goldwyerdrawers paid this for divers years together, as is well known to many hundred perſons in London.

Hereupon, the Wyer-drawers petitioned againſt this Monopoly of Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaſton to the Parlament in 1640. and therein ſet forth that this Monopoly was contrary to the Common Law, and againſt the Statute of 21. Jac. concerning Monopolies; and contrary to the Liberties of the City of London; And that this monopoly was for the exceſsive profit of the Refiners, for that they could buy their ſilver at a moneths time 3 pence an ounce cheaper; then they were forced to pay the Refiners ready money: And this was affirmed in Parlament by Thomas Joles, Robert Patrickſon, Laurence Whalley, Nathanaēl Seabourn, and ſeveral other Gold-wyer-drawers.

Upon Examination of this Buſineſs by the Parlament, the Patentees (Alderman Wollaſton Alderman Gibbs, &c) were commanded to bring into the Houſ their Monopoly, and then the Wyer-drawers got quite free from it by Parlament.

The Refiners (Alderman Wollaſton and Alderman Gibbs) to avoid the puniſhment which might juſtly have been impoſed on them by the Parlament, according to the Statute of 21. Jac. cap. 3. 66 concerning Monopolies. When they ſaw they could hold their Monopoly no longer, and that the Parlament was called, they petition to have their Pattent of Agencie diſſolved, as if it had been put on them by force and againſt their wills, alledging, That they were ſued in the Starr-Chamber; and that (to avoid a ſentence there, being terrified by the example of the Soap-boilers and the Vintners) they accepted of beeing his Majeſties Agents.

When the truth was, they accepted of being the Kings Agents for the ſole refining and vending of One hundred thouſand pounds ſilver a year for this Manufacture, out of a covetous deſire to enrich themſelvs, and unjuſtly did exclude all Goldſmiths and Wyer-drawers that had ſerved their time to the Trade; and by their undertaking this Monopoly, they got their Pardons under the great Seal of England for many great, as may appear upon view of their Pardons.

That they were ſued in the Starr-Chamber, it is very true: For ſuch Crimes, that had the Cauſe proceeded, and witneſſes then been examined, and the Court given Judgement againſt them, they had been both undone.

To my knowledg, this was their chief Plea in Parlament; and ſo they flung dirt in the Kings face (for his mercie towards them) by their Petition which they preſented to the Houſe.

Though before the Parlament, they would neither let Goldſmiths nor the Wyer-drawers to have a free market; but ſtiffly inſiſted on it, ever when it came to a diſpute, That the Refining and preparing Gold and Silver wyer, did abſolutely belong to the Refiners; and ſo excluded the Goldſmiths of London: And by their Monopolie excluded all other perſons from the Trade, but onely eight perſons (the Kings Agents and Pattentees. Theſe Agents laid out of their own purſes Two hundred eightie and two pounds three ſhillings for repairing the Office; which they gave me a Bill of under their own hands; and deſired mee to move Sec•etarie Cook to get the King to allow it them. I did 67 ſo; but the King returned them anſwer, That if it had coſt them ten times as much, hee would not allow one penny; for hee had Ordered Alderman Wollaſton and Alderman Gibbs to have their Pardon, and that in that hee had given them Ten thouſand pounds. I have the Original Bill by mee.

Several times this Monopolie of the Refiners was oppoſed, and argued oftentimes at the Counſell Table, and before the King; Commiſsioners in Little Brittain, and at Mr Attornie General Bankes Chamber (both before Alderman Wollaſton and Ald. Gibbs got their Monopolie, and after they had their Pattent) ſome of the Wyer drawers and ſome of the Goldſmiths and Silkmen (chiefly Sir George Binion a Silkman, for the Silkmen; and the Wardens of the Companie of Goldſmiths, for the Goldſmiths; and all the chief Wyer-drawers, in behalf of themſelvs and their Fellow Wyer-drawers) oppoſing Sir John Wollaſton and Alderman Gibbs Monopolie, and deſiring to have a free market to buy their Silver. But the Refiners ſtill made ſuch potent friends, (no doubt their Gold flew plentifully amongſt the Courtiers, or elſe they could not have carried it) that neither VVyer-drawers nor Goldſmiths could buy of them or ſell either ſilver or wyer for any the manufactures aforeſaid; but all muſt bee bought of Alderman Wollaſton and Alderman Gibbs, and others the Kings Agents and Pattentees, till 1640. that that the ſame was overthrown in Parlament.

DUring the Proſecution and Conteſt of this buſineſs between the Goldſmiths, Gold Wyerdrawers, Refiners, and Silkmen, about the frauds and abuſes committed in their Trades, (each man putting it of from one to another.) The King and Lords of the Counſel caſt about, How to bee truelie informed of all theſe abuſes, and to ſearch into the bottom of all this Knavery and Cheating: 68 Several wayes were propounded. At laſt, the Lords of the Counſel Ordered a private Search and Inſpection into all Silkmens and Gold Wyerdrawers ſhopps: And afterwards, the King and Lords impowered mee Thomas Violet, under the Great Seal, to make theſe Searches frequently, to prevent ſrauds in Wy•rdrawers and ſilkmens ſhops, and in any other places where I conceived ſlight and bad Silver and Gold Thread and Wyer was, and to ſeaze the ſame, and if I found it bad to deface it, and to certifie their names to the Kings Counſel or the Attourney Generall.

And the Lords of the Counſel, at that time, Ordered Sr Henry Mldemay to ſend ſeveral perſons to buy ſmall parcels of Gold and Silver Wyer and Thread, Spangles Purls, Oas &c. in almoſt all the Silkmens and Wyerdrawers ſhops in and about London. That ſo they might bee truely informed, upon an Aſſay by the ſworn Aſſay-maſter at Golſmiths Hall Mr Alexander Jackſon, what manner of gold and ſilver Wyer and Thread, Spangles, Oes, and Purl; (and the Standard of the Silver) was made and vented for good ſilver. I do verily believ, There was never a fuller or clearer Diſcoverie of Frauds and Cheatings in the world, then was diſcovered at that time:

For M^r Jackſon the Aſſay-maſter of Goldſmiths Hall hath Reported everie particular Aſſay by it ſelf, and Maſter Humfrey Worthington, M^r Thomas Johnſon, and M^r Leonard Welſted have ſet down the dayes of the moneth and the year, the Silkmen and Wyerdrawers ſhopps, and their names, where they bought this courſ adulterate Silver Thread and Spangles, and that they bought it and paid for good ſilver, I have both the original Certificates ready to be produced.

The particular Originall Reports I have readie to produce to the Counſell of Trade, wherin they will ſee the great Cheats put upon the Nation by ſome Refiners, Wyerdrawers, and Silkmen.

By Order of the Lords of the Counſel I Tho. Violet paid Mr Jackſon Five pounds for this Service.

And this ſilver Thread, Wyer, Spangles, &c. was one hundred and odd ſeveral parcels made, contrarie to the oath of every Goldſmith, Wyerdrawer, and Refiner, when they are made free at Goldſmiths Hall. I humblie leav it to 70 bee conſidered on, whether this manufacture ought not ſtrictly to bee looked after and duelie regulated, when neither Oaths nor bonds will keep them to work good ••lver.

For executing of my Office juſtlie and ſtrictlie, to hold the Refiners and Wyerdrawers to a Rule, to make all their wyer and thread of good ſilver, and puniſhing the Offenders, manie of them I brought to Juſtice. And I ſhewed the King how hee was cozened in the Mint of Three thouſand Pounds a year (which cauſed Alderman Wollaſton ſecretly to hate mee mortally) And hee cauſed mee to bee clapt up (by his incenſing ſome members of Parlament againſt mee) in the Tower, in Januarie 1643. when hee was Lord Major of London. And the Parlament kept mee cloſe priſoner there Nine hundred twentie eight daies; and Fourteen Moneths more, in which I had libertie to go at large in the Tower; upon the pretence I was a Malignant, when the truth was, Alderman Wollaſton vented but his private malice againſt mee.

Upon this occaſion viz. Alderman Wollaſton having put up to the Parlament in the year 1640, a Petition, ſlighting the Kings mercie and goodneſs towards him, in giving him his Pardon; when I ſaw Alderman Wollaſton‘s carriage in that Petition hee preſented to the Parlament, I then told the King, in the year 1640. that Alderman Wollaſton joining with ſome of the Officers of his Mint had made a fraudulent agreement to melt all the ſilver in the Mint, which was to make monies; and hee to have from the King the allowance of 16 grains upon the pound Troy, which is 2 pence the pound weight Troy, for all the ſilver hee melted in the Mint. This agreement was made without either the King’s or the Lords of the Counſells knowledg or approbation, nor was there anie allowance or power under the Great Seal of England for him to receive theſe fees, or the Officers of the Mint to grant them to him.

By which fraudulent bargain, the King was defrauded 71 of neer upon three thouſand pounds a year, from the year 1630. to the year 1640. And Alderman Wollaſton put up all this monie in his own particular purſe, the King nor Lords never knowing any thing of this blinde bargain.

Alderman Wollaſtons place in the Tower being ſo inconſiderable in the eie of the State, and in the reputation of the world (the melter of the mint being but the Maſter workers ſervant) that Alderman Wollaſton never had a Patent for it under the Great Seal, whereas the Maſter worker of the Mint hath a Pattent; the Warden, the Aſſaie-maſter, the maſter of the Irons, the Engraver, the Comptroller, the Teller, and ſeveral other Officers of the Mint, have all of them their ſeveral Pattents under the Great Seal of England for their ſeveral places.

Now Alderman Wollaſton‘s place was worth every year to him more monie then all the aforeſaid Officers of the Mint, twice told; for every year hee cleared near three thouſand pounds a year, as I proved to the late King, and I can prove it to your Highneſs, the Parlament, and your Counſel, whenſoever you pleaſ: and all the Officers Fees in the Mint did not amount to one thouſand pounds a year. A ſtrange fraudulent trick, that a ſervant (for in the Mint Alderman Wollaſton was but the maſter workers of the mints ſervant) ſhould get ſix times more then his maſter, and three times more then all the Officers in the mint: It was the profits of this Place raiſed him principally to bee an Alderman.

But this is no great wonder, when the maſters of the mint (for many years) are and have been ignorant of the myſteries and perquiſites of their places, to the great dammage of the Nation in many particulars. In former times it was not ſo; Goldſmiths and Artiſts were maſters of the mint, that knew the courſe of Exchanges, and held Correſpondence with Forrain Bankers and merchants: no Age can ſhew (afore this) a Doctor of Phyſick maſter worker of the mint; and had not I ſtopped at one time 72 three hundred thouſand pounds of ſilver, the Irons in the mint would have been ruſtie. I cauſed more money to come to the mint at one time (1653) then hath been coyned this ſeven yeare beſides that money.

Upon this my Information to the King, hee preſently ſent for Mr Andrew Palmer, the Aſſay-maſter of the mint, and Mr Henry Cogan, the Comptroller of the mint, and examined the buſineſs about Alderman Wollaſtons Place in the Tower, and commanded mee to bee by, and to declare before them what I had told his Majeſtie concerning Alderman Wollaſtons Place of melter in the mint. And when they heard what I ſaid, they confeſſed it to bee a truth, that Alderman Wollaston had in ten years (beeing eſteemed but as a ſervant by the condition of his Place in the mint to the Head-Officers, the maſter Worker and Warden of the mint) gotten more by his melting of the Silver in the mint, then all the Officers of the mint (put them all together) had done.

Whereupon the King was wonderfull angry with them, (they beeing his Officers in the Mint,) that they would ſuffer ſuch a thing, and not acquaint him or his Counſel with it; And asked, If my Lord Treaſurer, or Lord Cottington, or the Lords of his Counſel allowed him to have ſuch Fees and allowances, or knew that Wollaſton made ſuch Gaines in the Mint, by being Melter of the Gold and Silver. They told his Majeſtie, No; they did believe none of them knew it, nor any others but the Officers of the Mint; for that it was a myſterie and few did know it: Thereupon, the King ſwor• his Officers of his Mint muſt either bee Knaves or Foo•s, to let ſuch an one as Alderman Wollaſton gull him of three thouſand pounds a year, and to give ſuch a Place of Profit to any, without his conſent or the conſent of his Privy Counſell, or any of his great Officers. And then the King ſolemnly proteſted. He would have an accompt & ſatisfaction for this Buſineſs; And that hee would not allow Alderman VVollaſton Thirty thouſand pounds for that hee could have done for One thouſand pounds. This was about ten daies before the King went 73 from London, and had hee ever came again in peace, (in my conſcience) this buſineſs had been called to a ſtrickt accompt: and the King thereupon gave mee Thomas Violet the place of Maſter of the Mint, and to have the fee of five hundred pounds a year, And that I ſhould execute Alderman Wollaſtons place, of melter without any fee upon account of the Maſters fee and no more: I was to melt the Gold and Silver upon oath, not to have any benefit but only my fee of five hundred pound a year, as maſter worker of the Mint: Alderman Wollaſton came to hear of this buſineſs afterwards, (in all likelyhood) by Mr. Palmer or Mr. Cogan, and this was the true cauſe of Sr John Wollaſtons getting mee to bee ſent to the Tower, when hee was Lord Maior of London. One other chief reaſon of my ſending to the Tower was; ſom Marchants of London and others (that had tranſported vaſt quantities of Gold and Silver out of the Nation, & had melted down many ſcore thouſand pounds of heavy currant Engliſh money, for gold and Silver wyer and plate) finding that I was commanded by Mr Pym and Mr Hamden, and other honorable members of Parlament to attend the houſ, about paſſing an Act of Parlament in the houſ, to queſtion all ſuch as had tranſported Gold or Silver, without licence, (The order for my proſecution of this buſineſs againſt the Tranſporters of gold is in the Journal book of the Parlament, 18^th of March 1640. As will thereby appear, and the ſeverall orders and tranſactions thereupon) Therefore the tranſporters of Gold and Silver, and the cullers and melters of the heavie ſilver coyn of the Nation, fearing if I was not clapt up in the Tower, or ſome other place, they ſhould bee queſtioned for their tranſporting Gold and Silver: Theſe men cryed mee up in the Citty, and to the Parlament for a malignant, and incenſed ſom worthie members of Parlament againſt mee, that did not know theſe mens true reaſons, nor the bottom of their malice; ſo I was ſent to the Tower: But in the mean time, what miſchief the Commonwealth hath gotten by not paſsing the Act againſt the tranſporting 74 of Gold, which I was ordered by the Parlament, to proſecute, as appears by the Journals in Parlament, as I before ſaid 18^th of March 1640. The not pasſing this Act hath given an opportunity that all the Gold is ſent out of the Nation, And now many propound the only remedy is to raiſe Gold (Not conſidering the great miſchief and loſs that attends raiſing Gold or Silver) The like miſchief will ſuddenly fall by ſuffering Goldſmiths to bee the publick Caſhiers, they by that means, cull and melt down the heavy monies of the Nation, And when all is culled and melted down and tranſported, (as I have often times ſaid) then there will bee a propoſition for the raiſing of Silver, to the unſpeakable damage of all Landed Gentlemen, and the Nation in generall will bee impoveriſhed ſo much as you raiſ Gold or Silver.

This miſchief hath com by ſuffering Goldſmiths to becom exchangers of Gold and Silver and fortaign Coyns, whereas that doth only Properly by the Law of the Nation belong to your Highneſs, And till an exchange bee ſet up by your Highneſs, (and the Goldſmiths upon great penalties reſtrained only to their working of Plate and gold Rings and Iewels and ſelling them,) It is a thing impoſsible to prevent the tranſporting of Gold and Silver, as I have formerly ſhewed; which the Counſell for Trade will finde upon examination to bee true To which I humbly refer my ſelf.

I Had at this day kept theſe Trades Refiners, Gold-wyer-drawers, Silkmen, Weavers and Button-makers (for ſo much as concerns the Silver) in that good order, by my Office of Surveyer and Sealer, that no courſe Silver ſhould bee made or ſpent in theſe manufactures. And I humbly ſay, I doubt not but I ſhall receive thanks from this Parlament and the Counſel of Trade for my care, in diſcovering ſo many of theſe deceipts and frauds in theſe Trades: As I ſhall particularly make appear before the Counſel of Trade upon examination of this Buſineſs, it 75 will ſave the Nation and the wearers of Gold and Silver many thouſand pounds a year. My true end of doing this is, that the Trade may bee regulated, and my place of Surveyer and Sealer reſtored, and I authorized (as I was formerly) under the Great Seal of England to ſearch, ſurvey and ſeal all theſe manufactures, and to ſee them juſtly made, and to have ſuch a juſt Fee as may ſupport my expence, and in ſome reaſonable proportion pay for my paines and hazzard I undergo by warranting the manufacture of Gold and Silver thread, &c. to bee all good to the Nation, and made according to the Standard. The wearers will have this benefit, they ſhall bee ſecured of good Commodities, that doth laſt as long again as the greater part of the manufacture doth now; and when it returnes to the melting-pot, it will make them, in ſome ſorts of lace, as much again as it doth now; and it will ſave many thouſand pounds a year which is bruſhed and rubbed away, if the ſilver thread bee duely made with a due proportion of Silk, according to the juſt Rules as I ſetled formerly in my Office.

There are ſeveral unlawfull Engines, called Wheels, that twiſt the Silver on the Silk ſo ſleightly, that all thoſe that wear Silver ſpun by theſe Wheels are meerly deceived. The women Spinners (being ſome thouſands) have from time to time complained of them, both at the Counſel Table and at the former Counſel of Trade, and the Kings Commiſsioners by ſeveral Orders put down the Wheels. I moſt humbly deſire, the women Spinners, may bee heard at the Counſel of Trade, concerning that and other abuſes in this manufacture. They will acquaint them, that whereas good Gold and Silver thread ſhould hold ſix ounces of ſilver and three ounces of Silk ought to bee the due proportion for the making Needle gold and ſilver, and five ounces of ſilver to three ounces of Silk, of the ſleighteſt: now the manufacture is ordinarily made, for ſome ſorts of ſilver 76 thread ſix ounces ſilk to three ounces ſilver, and ſo the wearers are cozened half in half; beſides, the ſilver lace is ſo ſleightly made (for many ſorts thereof, being both courſ and adulterate, and ſo thinly covered that it loſeth the colour) is bruiſed and rubbed off from the Silk, and little returns to the melting-pot: Theſe particulars will clearly bee proved (before the Counſel of Trade upon examination) by hundreds of witneſſes when it comes to bee examined; And it is a great Abuſe put on the Nation.

Here follow the principal Heads of the Refiners Monopoly.

ALderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaſton, &c. were authorized in any part of the Realm of England and Dominion of Wales, by their Monopoly to prepare and fine One hundred thouſand pounds in ſilver and gold yearly and every year; or ſomuch thereof as may yearly by them bee jointly vended, uttered or ſold, according to the Rates and Proviſions aforeſaid. To have and to hold the ſaid powers, licences and authorities, and all and ſingular the premiſſes unto them the ſaid John Wollaston, William Gibbs, Henry Patrickſon, Daniel Stallworthy, William Haward, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowel, and Walter Hill, during the term of ſeven years, from thence forth next enſuing fully to bee compleated and ended; And that without any accompt to bee made for the ſame to his Majeſtie his Heirs or Succeſſors.

5. And they Covenant they will ſell no ſilver or gold for theſe Manufactures, but to ſuch perſons that ſhall bee admitted to work and bee allowed to buy the ſame. And alſo that they ſhall and will pay the aforeſaid Duties to his Majeſtie his Heirs and Succeſſors, which was ſixpence upon every ounce Troy of Silver ſpent in this Manufacture.

6. They Covenant with the King, that they nor their ſervants ſhall not melt down or bee conſenting to the melting down of any the currant Coynes of the King his Heirs or Succeſſors, or the Plate of the Nation, for any the Manufactures aforeſaid, except ſuch onely as ſhall ariſe and return off and from any gold and ſilver Thread, Lace, Purles, Oas, Spangles or Wyer, or ſhall bee imported from the parts beyond the Seas, and hath not been manufactured in this Nation.

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And all and ſingular theſe Grants, Powers, Licences and Authorities before given and granted, they ſhall lawfully uſe and ☞Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Woll•ſton binde their Monopoly to them as faſt as they can; it muſt break through all former Laws for their private and particular profit; it muſt oppreſs Goldſmiths, Wyer-drawers, Silkmen, and all other Tradeſmen whatſoëver it. Their Monopoly muſt go through thick and thin, though againſt the Law; no Act, Statute or Ordinance, Proclamation, Proviſion or Reſtriction formerly made whatſoëver, ſhall or can ſtop or contradict them; this was the pace and furious carreer of Alderman Gibbs and Alderman Wollaſton while they were the Kings Agents in the Kings time; but to ſave their skins (when the times altered) they could preſently change their notes, put on ſheep-skins and would appear as Lambs; they would be full of godlie expreſſions in Guild-hall, Goldſmiths-hall, and many other places in the City, and bee highly for the Covenant, and amongſt their Brethren ſtorm at the oppreſſion of the Times, and at Projectors and Monopolizers (when there was none greater then themſelvs, as appears by this Monopoly). They have ſaid at a common Hall in Guild-hall (when I was ſent to the Tower) that I was the Monopoliſt and Pattentee for this Manufacture, when truly I neither had heart or hand in it, nor any manner of wa••s concerned in the buying or ſelling the ſilver Wyer for this Manufacture. If I would, I could not; for the aforeſaid Ind••ture between the King, Gibbs and Wollaſton ſets forth, that onely eight Refiners were the Pattentees, and none others. enjoy, notwithſtanding the Statute made in the fourth year of Hen. 7^th cap. 2. and notwithſtanding the Statute made in the 5^th and 6^th years of Edw. 6^th cap. 19. intituled, The Penaltie for Exchange of Gold and Silver. And notwithſtanding the Statute of 18 Eliz. cap. 15. or any other Act, Statute, Law, Ordinance, Proclamation, Proviſion or reſtriction whatſoever to the contrary in any wiſe notwithſtanding. And his Majeſtie for Him and his Heirs and Succeſſors did will, ordain and declare, that during the continuance of this his Grant, his Majeſtie his Heirs and Succeſſors will not give or grant any libertie, licence, or power, or authoritie to any perſon whatſoëver, other then unto ſuch as have already ſerved or ſhall hereafter ſerve as Apprentices wholly and only to the Art of Refining and parting Gold and Silver by the ſpace of ſeven years (as the ſaid John Wollaſton, William Gibbs, and other the parties before named have done) to bee made, expended and imploied in or about the making gold or ſilver thread, or any the ſeveral Manufactures herein before mentioned.

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And the afore-ſaid perſons every one for himſelf did covenant and promiſe to and with his Majeſtie his Heirs and Succeſſors, that from time to time, during the terme granted, to perform their beſt endeavors in and by all lawfull waies and means for the promoting and advancing of his Majeſties benefit and ſervice in the premiſſes.

And his Majeſtie, for him, his Heirs and Succeſſors, during the term thereby granted, did Covenant to vouchſafe his and their aſſiſtance to the ſaid Agents and the Survivors of them, for the better performance and diſcharging of the ſaid Agencie, and all other the premiſſes ſo by them undertaken, according to the tenor and true meaning of the ſaid Grant: In witneſs whereof, to the one part of this Indenture remaining with the ſaid Agents, Our Sovereign Lord the King hath cauſed the Great Seal of England to be put; And the other part remaining with his ſaid Majeſtie, the ſaid John Wollaſton, William Gibbs, Henry Patrickſon, Daniel Stallworthy, William Haward, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Nowell, and Walter H•ll have ſet their hands and Seals the day and year firſt above written, Anno Dom. 1636. Witneſs Our Self at Weſtminſter the 7^th daie of May, in the twelfth year of our Reign.

I have the Copie of this Monopoly of the Refiners verbatim at large, ſworn and atteſted; ready to bee produced, if required.

THeſe are the chief Heads of the Monopolie granted by the late King Charles 1636. to Sir John Wollaſton Alderman, and Alderman William Gibbs, and others, Refiners of the City of London.

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This monopolie was complained of to the late King and his Counſel by ſome of the Wardens and Companie of the Goldſmiths in Anno 1636. and ſince oftentimes to the late King and his Commiſsioners, both by ſeveral Goldſmiths and Wyerdrawers (as being a great loſs and abuſe to the whole Company of Goldſmiths) in Annis 1637, 1638, and 1639, and is againſt the Statute of 21. Jac. cap. 3. and ſeveral other Acts of Parlament, and againſt the Common Law of the Land, and the Charter of the City of London.

By this monopoly they ingroſsing into a few particular mens hands for their private lucre and gain (under the ſpecious pretence of the Kings ſervice, which was the ordinary mask uſed by Pattentees and Monopoliſts of that time) the lively-hood and ſubſiſtance of many hundred Goldſmiths and Wyerdrawers, which by the Charter of the Company of Goldſmiths ought not to have been debarred, and by the cuſtom of the City of London were legally impowered to refine Silver and Gold, aſwell as the ſaid Refiners were.

And though this was oftentimes offered, it was alwaies denied and oppoſed by the Refiners, who had got this monopoly in their Iron clutches, and would not let go their hold, till their monopolie was put down by the Parlament, upon the Petition of the Gold-wyer-drawers, as aforeſaid.

I have left with the honorable Committee for Trade, (in Aug. 1656.) ſeveral humble Propoſals for the juſt and due regulation of this Trade of Refining and Gold and Silver-wyer-drawing. If they bee put in execution, the Manufacture will bee again juſtly and truly made, the Coyn and Bullion of the Nation preſerved, and your Highneſs Revenue augmented: But, as the Manufacture of Gold and Silver Thread, &c. is now made, the wearers thereof are many of them cozened, and the Coyns and Plate of the Nation 86 melted (to the great dammage of the Nation) and every day new Cheats are invented, to deceive the Wearers by Wheels or Engines. Therefore I moſt humbly pray for either a due Regulation of Gold and Silver Thread and Wyer, &c. or the making to bee put down in England, eſpecially at this time now wee have a Warr with Spain, ſtrictly to look that none of the Coyns of the Nation, or Plate, bee melted down for any of theſe Manufactures.

8. That within theſe three months (in June laſt) M^r Alexander Jackſon (the Aſſaie-maſter of Goldſmiths-hall) beeing deſired to go to the Excize-Office, to make an aſſay of ſome Silver that was made into Wyer for this manufacture, ſeized on an Ingott of courſe Silver about 30^l. which was thirteen penny weight worſe then the Standard; And weekly (upon ſtrict examination) it will bee found that great quantities of courſe ſilver hath been made into theſe Manufactures. This Silver (as I am informed) belongs to a Refiner, and it is both contrary to the Law and a breach of his Oath to prepare any ſuch Silver for any Manufacture.

I have many Aſſayes under Mr Jackſons hand (the Aſſay-maſter of Goldſmiths-hall) where four ounces of Copper hath been mixed and put into eight ounces of Silver, and ſold for good Silver (by ſome Silkmen and Wyer-drawers), to the intolerable deceipt of the Wearers of gold and ſilver Lace.

And whereas all perſons ſhould make gold and ſilver Thread to hold ſix ounces Silver to three ounces of Silk, it hath been ordinary, and at this day is made, to ſix ounces of Silk but three ounces of Silver; the Silk many times heavy died; the Wearers many of them are cozened, and their garments ſpoyled: And many other Cheats and frauds I could particularize.

9. When I delivered an Accompt of theſe groſs deceipts to the King and Lords, and upon examination they finding theſe Abuſes to bee ſo frequent both amongſt Refiners, Silkmen and Wyer-drawers; The King and Lords of 87 his Councel having often imployed mee in theſe Diſcoverics of the fraudes of the Wyerdrawers, They ordered mee Thoms Violet Anno 1635. to bee Surveyer and Sealer of all theſe manufactures, for three lives, under the Great Seal of England; And to have and receiv to my own uſe One Halfpenny the Ounce for Wyer, and 4 Pence the pound Venice for all gold and ſilver Thread I Sealed and Surveyed: And prohibited all perſons to put ſilver or gold Thread to Sale before it was warranted by the Seal of my Office, being the Roſe and Crown.

In conſideration of this Fee aforeſaid I Covenanted, and put in Securitie to the late King in the Exchequer; That if any gold or ſilver Thread, Spangles, Purls, Oes, or Wyer ſhould bee Surveyed and Sealed, or paſſed out of my Office either by mee or my Deputie, which was courſ or adulterate ſilver, under ſterling, or not juſtlie made; the Thread with a due proportion of ſilver, at the leaſt five ounces ſilver to three ounces ſilk: I was bound, and am bound to this day, to anſwer and pay all Damages to any perſon grieved or wronged in the Nation, concerning the Premiſes. And neither the Wyerdrawers nor Silkmen could in Parlament produce one parcel of ſilver thread that I ſealed in the Office, or that was ſealed by my Officers, to be courſ ſilver, or under the Standard. And for five years I cauſed this Manufacture to bee made ſo exactly as the money and Plate of the Nation is now made; and the beſt gold and ſilver Thread in the world.

Without my Fees which were allowed mee under the great Seal of England I could not bee at the Charge of ſearching and Sealing; and without my Sealing and Surveying I cannot warrant this Manufacture of gold and ſilver Thread and Wyer &c. to bee good, and truely made, both for the fineneſs of the ſilver and a due proportion of ſilver to a due proportion of ſilk: and without this Regulation, everie workman is left to do what hee liſt, both for the fineneſs of the ſilver, and the due proportion of ſilver to ſilk. And at this day (for want of my Office) many frauds and deceipts are put on the Nation and all them that wear this Manufacture, which 88 I am bound to prevent, or make good the Damage to the Nation, or to any that ſhall bee deceived: Which cannot bee exſpected from mee unleſs I receiv my Fee to defray my Charge and hazzard I run in warranting all this Manufacture to bee good, and juſtly made: And of the juſtice and Equity of this I conceiv there can bee no diſpute.

NOw, at this day the Manufacture of gold and ſilver Thread, Wyer, Spangles, Oes, &c. is under no Rule nor Regulation; either for the Fineneſs of the ſilver, or the juſt and due making the ſilver thread with a due Proportion of ſilver to a due proportion of true died ſilk; but it is left to every one to do what hee liſts, and to Cozen the Commonwealth; and to cull and melt down the Coins of the Nation: And if the Refiners can get but the Goldſmiths to melt down the heavie Coins as ſhillings, ſixpences and halfcrowns, which they do at this day, and as they are wont to do ever when ſilver is above the price of the Mint; or when wee have Wars with Spain, then generally ſilver is dearer then the Price of the Mint.

The Refiners think themſelves clear, and the Law cannot touch them if they buy heavie ſhillings and ſixpences melted into Ingots: And by this way all the heavie currant ſilver monies and Coin of this Nation is melted down. This heavie, Engliſh ſilver monie (for the greater part) is called and weighed by Goldſmiths in Lumbardſtreet, who keep people purpoſely to cull and weigh the heavie ſhillings and ſixpences of this Nation, when ſilver is dear.

May it pleaſ your Highneſs, Wee ſhall not have monie 89 to buy and ſell, nor to hold Commerce, nor pay Rent or publick Duties, if this miſchief bee not ſtopped.

When I was an Apprentice, I delivered with mine own hands, for one M^r Eman‘s Account (who was my Maſter) to Alderm. Gibbs above thirtie thouſand Pounds of heavie ſhillings ſixpences and halfcrowns, which hee bought of my Maſter M^r Timothy Emans a Goldſmith in Lumbard Street; The ſaid M^r Emans then being a publiuqe Caſhier for ſeverall Marchants, and receiving their monie, and keeping their Caſhes: by which means hee culled, and cauſed to bee culled and melted everie year in heavie ſhillings and ſixpences above Thirtie thouſand pounds a year, from the year 1624 to the year 1630 into Barrs or Ingots. And there was many Goldſmiths in Lumbard ſtreet at that time, everie of theſe years did melt as much heavie Engliſh monie, and ſome of them more then Mr Emans did. And Engliſh ſilver was at that time ſo ſcarce, one could hardlie get white monie Anno 1629 for gold but now almoſt all the ſilver, and almoſt all the gold is gon, the ſilver melted down for gold and ſilver Lace: The gold almoſt all Tranſported, that in a payment of ten thouſand pounds one ſhall not receiv Ten ſhillings in gold.

Alderman Gibbs would never have theſe ſhillings, ſixpences, and halfcrowns from Mr Eman in Kinde, but the prope••ie altered, and melted into Ingots; though hee knew and bargained for Engliſh monie by the name of Swarg, to bee melted without fraud; being a common word amongſt the Goldſmiths for heavie Engliſh monie. Whereupon my Maſter commanded mee to put in everie Ingot ſo much Copper as the ſilver waſted, which was about a farthing the ounce: For Mr Eman ſelling the heavy ſhillings halfcrowns and ſixpenſes to other Refiners and Silverſmiths in Kinde without melting, would not bear the waſte of melting Mr Gibbs‘s Engliſh money into Ingotts.

But Alderman Gibbs finding my Maſters Silver a farthing in five ſhillings courſer then other Goldſmiths in Lumbard Sreet 90 Silver was, who melted down ☞Mr Alderman Gibbs had a pair of Aſſay Ballances in his cloſet, and when hee queſtioned mee about this Buſineſs, hee weighed above ſorrie ſeverall Aſſayes of my Maſter Eman‘s ſilver with the Standard Piece, and all of them fell out one penny weight ſhort; and then hee took about forty other Aſſayes of one Mr Bradſhaw‘s Silver (as hee told mee,) and Alderman Gibbs ſaid to mee, This is heavy Engliſh mony in Ingots, which I have and do daily buy of Mr Bradſhaw, and weigh your Maſters Aſſayes againſt his. So I did, and found my Maſters Silver all one penny weight ſhort of Mr Bradſhaw‘s Silver. Thereuppon Alderman Gibbs was very hot and angry with mee, and told mee, hee was cozenned, for my Maſter had put Copper into his Silver, and made him pay for good heavy Engliſh money to bee melted-without Copper; hee preſſing mee very earneſtly; I told him, I had done it for ſeveral years by my Maſters order, and hee muſt ſeek his remedie from my Maſter Eman; for I would ſhew him my Maſters Books every week where I had put the Copper down upon the Accompt, for my Maſters Profit, and that I did believ, my Maſter had delivered him to the value of One Hundred and Forty Pounds in Copper, in his Ingots, for which hee had paid my Maſter Eman for good ſilver. their heavie Engliſh monies. Mr Alderman Gibbs one day asked mee ſeriouſly about it; I told him, my Maſter had given mee order to put in ſo much Copper as would bear the waſte of the ſilver; and that I did believ, I had put in and mixed as much Copper into his Ingots, by my Maſters order and for his Profit, at ſeverall times, within Four years, for which Alderman Gibbs had paid for to my Maſter after the price of good Silver, as came to above One Hundred and Fortie Pounds Starling.

Whereupon Alderman Gibbs a few dayes after queſtioned my Maſter Emans about it, who did not denie it; and Alderman Gibbs threatned to Arreſt him, and was in a great rage about it, that hee ſhould bee ſo over-reached and deceived: But my Maſter Mr Emans ſlighted the buſineſs, and in plain termes bid him do it if hee durſt; ſo that Alderman Gibbs there (for all his craft) was Cozened of one hundred and fortie Pounds, Alderman Gibbs paying for good Silver when hee received Copper mixed in every Ingot.

The true reaſon wherefore Alderman Gibbs forbare to Arreſt Mr Eman was, hee durſt not have done it if hee had cozened him of ten times as much; for if Alderman Gibbs and Mr Eman had gone to Law about this matter, the whole buſineſs of both their unlawfull actions in this Cauſ would have been made known to the 91 world, and both Mr Eman and Mr Gibbs would have been undone. Mr Eman could have given M^r Gibbs ſatisfaction for this wrong well enough, if hee had had a minde to have done it, for Mr Emans had then a better Estate then Alderman Gibbs, and both of them (by this act) had forfeited their Eſtates to the King, it being againſt the Laws of this Nation to melt the Engliſh currant Coines. This was done in the year 1629. And had I ſpake but one word of this buſineſs to Sr Henry Mildemay or Mr Attorney General, or unto the late King Charles, (as I had oftentimes oportunity to have done it, being then imploied by the late King in ſeveral buſineſſes by his particular Command; which, had I done it before the ſaid Alderman Gibbs had had his Pardon, Alderman Gibbs had been for ever ſpoiled for being an Alderman; hee might have had a Jack-line about his neck, ſooner then a Gold Chain, Alderman Gibbs and Mr Eman having by this act forfeited all their Eſtates to the late King.

Theſe abuſes are commonly practiſed both amongſt the Refiners and Goldſmiths at this day, without any ſcruple of Conſcience, or honeſtie, or fear of the Law; and (if not prevented) will undoe and waſte the ſtock of the Nation. If Culling and melting down of the hevie currant monie bee not prevented, the Nation in Generall will not have monie to pay Rents, go to market, or pay Taxes: and this buſineſs to bee neglected, without a ſtrict Act of Parlament to diſcover the Offenders, will bring intolerable miſchiefs.

I have preſented this Buſineſs many times to the long Parlament, who made many Orders and References for paſsing an Act againſt melting of the Currant Silver Coins of the Nation, and againſt the Tranſporting of Gold and Silver. But it was not finiſhed.

THere was ſeveral perſons deſired the Counſel of Trade, that Thomas Violet (who was formerly imploied in the Regulation of this Manufacture, and knoweth the way of diſcovering all the Frauds in this manufacture) may have the Place of ſurveying and ſearching for all courſe and adulterate Silver in thread and wyer, and to ſeal all good Gold and Silver-thread. The ſaid Thomas Violet from time to time to ſearch with the Wardens and Aſsiſtants of the Companie of Goldwyerdrawers, or by himſelf and his Officers, for all courſe Silver that is wrought in this Manufacture to the deceipt of the Nation. And that the ſaid Thomas Violet may have ſuch allowance for the executing of the ſaid Office, as may enable him to defray the neceſſary charges for the ſtrict ſearch and due regulation of this manufacture; for it cannot bee well done without a great deal of charges.

If your Honors truſt the management of this Manufacture only to the Wyerdrawers, without naming and appointing a ſworn Surveyer & Sealer of this Manufacture, one who is no Trader in theſe Commodities, (the Buſineſs to bee carried on ſingly by the Wyer-drawers) will never do your work to have a juſt Reformation: For everie Maſter-wyer-drawer will winck one at another, and they will by that means (under colour of Reformation) cozen 96 the Nation by a Law, as was done in the dying of Silk: when the Silkmen had the Regulation, all ſuch perſons the Company envied, were found out and puniſhed; in the mean time, the Governers, Maſters and Aſsiſtants they cheated and cozened the Nation more then ever it was before, and no man durſt ſay, Black was their Eye.

The like Abuſes and greater will bee practiſed, if the management of the manufacture of Gold and Silver wyer bee wholly left to the Refiners and Wyerdrawers, without a third perſon which is no Trader, either Refiner or Wyerdrawer, and therefore not intereſſed by benefit to bee corrupted by making the manufacture ſleight or deceiptfull: And this wee can ſay, If there bee any Refiner or Wyerdrawer angrie with M^r Violet, it is becauſe he would not ſuffer them to cozen the Common-wealth, but cut and defaced all ſleight Gold and Silver thread. And hee tied all the workmen to make good and juſt Gold and Silver thread, ſuch as was juſtly covered with a due proportion of Silver, to a due proportion of Silk, that would laſt twice as long to the wearer as the ſleight wheel-work.

For whereas Thomas Violet by himſelf and his Officers cauſed the Gold-wyer-drawers to work all their Silver thread (from 1635 to 1640.) ſix ounces Silver at the leaſt to three ounces of Silk to all Needle work, and five ounces Silver to three ounces of Silk for the ſleighteſt ſilver Thread; and any ſilver Thread that was under this ſize and proportion of Silver and Silk, the ſaid Thomas Violet was authorized to burn it or deface it, which many times when hee found it hee did deface it. And this made ſome of the Wyer-drawers angrie with him, whereas it was their own faults to work ſleight ſilver and to come within his danger; Thomas Violet did but his duty to deface their courſe and ſleight ſilver Thread.

But this wee can affirm, during the time Tho. Violet had the Office, hee cauſed all the Silver Thread to bee made of good Silver; and there was never (for the generalitie) 97 ſo good Silver Thread made for the uſe of the Nation before Mr Violet‘s Regulation, or ſince, as was during all the time hee had the Regulation by his Office. If Tho. Violet were impowered to make his Searches at this day, (as hee did formerly) hee would (no doubt) finde manie Thouſand Pounds of courſ Silver Thread in London, and Silver Thread which is as bad as courſ Silver.

wee pray your Honors to mark what wee ſay. whereas (by a juſt Regulation) ſix ounces of ſilver and three ounces of true died ſilk is the t•ue proportion for the juſt making of ſilver thread: There is now (ſince all this Manufacture is run into diſorder, and made without a Rule) Gold and Silver ſpun upon heavie died ſilk, and ordinarily Gold and Silver thread made, three ounces Silver to ſix ounces Silk, and Four Ounces Silver to Five Ounces Silk.

And this Silver ſo unjuſtly wrought and ſpun, to the deceipt of the Wearers, is made and mixed in their Silver Laces, and other manufactures, and ſold to the Wearers by the ounce for good Silver thread, whereby the Wearers are cozened half in half; and of this ſort of Silver thread there is ſold in Silkmens ſhops many thouſand pounds a year; and this Silver thread made upon the Wheels ſo ſlight and thin the Silver is ſpun, that it will not abide on the ſilk during the weaving and making the Lace, and the Tailors will declare to you, while they are ſoing the Lace on the Garment the Silver will ſhed and fall off the Silk, and when it comes to the weather, a Fogg or Rain, the wet gets into the Silk, and then the Silk ſwells and breaks the ſilver (the Plate being ſo thinly made that it flies off; and when it is dirtie, rub the Lace and you wiil leav nothing but ſilk: This, all that wear it, can tell you. And in this manner is many 1000 pounds a year Bruiſed, Cracked, and rubbed away: whereas, if the Silver was all juſtlie and trulie made with a due plait, and a due proportion of ſilver and Silk, the Lace would laſte as long again, the Silver Lace would make as 98 much again as it now doth; and Twenty thouſand pounds a year in Silver would return to the melting Pot which by this ſlight making is bruſhed off, and waſted, and comes to bee blown in the dirt. the Goldſmiths can tell you gold and ſilver Lace juſtly made, will make you three ſhillings the ounce, and three ſhillings and ſixpence the ounce to burn; your ſlight Wheel-work will not make above one ſhilling or eighteen pence an ounce.

The Wyerdrawers and Refiners have good reaſon to crie Tho. Violet down to the Parlament and Counſel of State; for they know hee will hold their noſes to the grind ſtone (as hee did formerly) and make them to make good work, if hee bee reſtored to his Office which hee formerly had. The Refiner hee will have an eie on, that hee melt not, nor cauſ to be melted any of the currant Coins or Plate of the Nation, but onely Forrain Bullion imported for this Manufacture; and this was ſtrictly looked to whileſt Tho. Violet had his Office; and the Refiners by their Indenture with the King Covenanted to do ſo, and not to melt the currant Coin or Plate of the Nation for any of theſe Manufactures.

The Wyerdrawers will do any thing rather then to bee tied up to have their Silver Thread ſealed. They know, then they muſt work it all good ſilver, and a due proportion of ſilver to a due proportion of true died ſilk It is not the Fee that they are to pay is that that ſticks with them, for that is a trifle in compariſon; it is, they ſhall bee conſtraind to make all good Silver Thread with a due proportion of ſilver: this is the Yoke they would fain fling off themſelves.

And if your Honors do not hold them to this, to Seal their ſilver on Scanes, they will cheat the Nation as much as ever they did. The Wyerdrawers (in the Twentieth year of King James had a Corporation, their Charter was to puniſh offenders, ſuppreſs underhand Workers, and all irregular perſons whatſoever: And this Charter was granted with ample Power unto the Governors, Aſsiſtants, and Commonaltie to make Warrants under the Common Seal of the Governor, unto all ſuch perſons as they ſhould think fit: and they did depute and authorize one Henry Crompton, amongſt many others, (the Thirtieth of July, 16. 3. (to enter any Houſ, 99 Shop, Seller, Warehouſ, Ship or ſhips within England and Wales, and to ſearch and Aſſay all ſilver and gold Thread &c. that ſhould bee wrought by any perſon or perſons not being free of the ſaid Company and allowed to work as aforeſaid: and to ſeize all baſe and counterfeit courſ Silver Thread, and carry away the ſame, and to detain and keep it as forfeited to the uſe of the King All theſe Powers they had granted them: but for want of appointing a Sworn Officer to ſee the Governer Aſsiſtants and Commonalty do their dutie; and to puniſh Offenders impartially.

Upon the examination of the ſeverall miſcarriages and frauds in the Execution of that Power, the whole Proceedings was damned in Parlament, as a power that was ill and Illegally managed, under ſpecious pretences of their Reformation of Abuſes, they got to bee in a capacitie to cozen the State cùm Privilegio: And there was an end of this Charter.

The Proceedings of all the miſcariages of the Governors and Aſſiſtants of the Refiners and Wyerdrawers was at large Painted out in Parlament, as tending onely to get a Licence for ſome particular men to Cozen the Commonwealth, and all others to bee puniſhed.

My Lord Cook told the Refiners and Wyerdrawers, Where the Conſtable is the theif, it is to little purpoſe to make a hue and crie: Therefore if ever you would ſettle this Manufacture, put a ſure Officer to ſee the Companie of Refiners and Wyerdrawers to do their Dutie, and to wake good Gold and Silver Wyer and Thread juſtly and truely; as was formerly when Tho. Violet had his Office. The Refiners and Wyerdrawers are angry with him onely becauſ hee executed his place ſtrictly, and would not let them Cozen the Commonwealth as they had formerly done.

This and much more was ſaid at the old Counſel of Trade by ſome of the Women-Spinners, Goldmiths, and other perſons, uppon ſeveral Meetings and Diſputes about the Regulation of this Manufacture: And the Counſell of Trade had almoſt drawn the Model of a juſt Regulation for the preventing the Abuſes: But their Commiſſion was Determined juſt as they were upon finiſhing the Regulation: 100 And the whole proceeding in this buſineſs was by them tranſmitted to the Counſel of State.

There are divers of the workmen Wyerdrawers that have been with mee ſince the Workmaſters preſented the Draught of their deſired Corporation, and told mee, that the Maſter-wyerdrawers have (in the Draught of their Corporation which they delivered unto the Counſel of 101 Trade in Auguſt laſt, 1656. omitted divers particular Rules which conduced very much to the well ordering of the Trade and manufactures; and have inſerted particular Rules onely conducing to their own private ends (being Maſter-wyerdrawers) and not for the generall good either of the workmen of the Trade, or of the Commonwealth.

The workmen deſire that the workmaſters of this manufacture may bee reſtrained, and for the future may not (as they do) force the workmen (for their private gain) to make their work ſleightly and adulterate: That there may bee a ſworn Surveyer and Aſſayer appointed; one that is neither Workmaſter nor workman, but an indifferent conſcionable man between them both; that may Survey and Aſſay all work made, and to bee made; and may ſet Rules and Orders between the workmaſters & workmen, that ſo the work-maſters may not cauſ the workmen to make baſe, ſleight and adulterate work, for the workmaſters private gain.

And that the Workmen may not bee ſo beaten down in their Prices, that they cannot make a livelihood; that the Surveyor may appoint the Aſſaymaſter, who may trie and make Aſſayes of all work made into Silver and Gold thread, wyer, Purles, Spangles, &c. that ſo the manufacture may bee made of fine ſilver, not under Starling, but as much better as every Trader pleaſeth.

That Tho. Violet (who was formerlie imployed in the Regulation of this Manufacture, and knoweth the way of diſcovering all theſe Frauds and Deceits in the making and working of this manufacture) may bee Surveyor and Searcher to ſeiz on all courſ and adulterate ſilver, in wyer and thread &c. and for all ſleight work: And that your Honors ſet Rules and Orders for the puniſhing the offenders; and that all gold and ſilver Wyer &c. may bee well and juſtlie made: And that Tho. Violet may have ſuch a Fee allowed him for his ſervice and pains taken therein, as may ſupport his Charges, and recompence him for his ſervice, care, and pains to bee taken therein, and for his warranting to the Nation that all the ſilver ſhall be juſtly made, 102 and that ſtrict penalties, ſhould bee put and laid uppon all work-maſters, that give their work men cours adulterate Silver to work, to draw Gold or Silver wyer, and that all workmaſters bee forbidden to cauſ the workmen, to draw their ſilver to ſuch extraordinary ſizes for ſlightneſs, that when it is twiſted on the Silk it is ſo thin, it cannot bee made ſerviſable to the wearers, but with the wind or Rain, drops of the wearers Garments; I wiſhed theſe men to put to their hands to theis laſt aforeſaid propoſals, which for the preſent they refuſed, telling mee, I knew theſe things to bee true, aſwell as themſelves; The reaſon why for the preſent they would not ſet to their hands was, They would ſee firſt, whether there was an Intention, of the Parlament, or Counſell for Trade, really to reform theſe abuſes, and to ſee good Silver lace, ſpangles &c. ſhould bee wrought and made in the Nation, and to puniſh strictly the offendors; when they were once aſſured of that, they would diſcover the whole bottom of the workmaſters knavery and oppreſsion, and how many of them deceiv the Commonwealth; But if they ſhould bee ſeen to diſcover theſe abuſes, before they were aſſured the Parlament would reform them, by their diſcovery, they ſhould bee undon; for ſom of their workmaſters would bee ſtarke mad with them; And that ſom of them have been threatned by their work maſters (the maſter-wyer-drawers) never to bee ſet on work by any of the maſter-wyer-drawers, if ever they petition againſt, or diſcover any the frauds of their workmaſters, in theſe Manufactures.

The like tyranous threatning, many of the Maſter wyer drawers, have uſed to the women ſpinners to terrifie them from ſpeaking the trueth: So that many of theſe workemen to the maſter wyer-drawers, and alſo the women ſpyners of gold and ſilver thread, are in a ſad condition every way; They muſt worke courſ deceipfull gold and ſilver thread and wyer, and muſt not, nor dare diſcover it, uppon pain of being undon, by ſom of their cruell Work maſters Som of them with tears in their eys have told mee, they were forced to worke their Work Maſters, courſ and deceiptfull 103 ſilver wyer and thread, (contrary to their conſent) to get bread; And that their Maſters have ſo peſtred the trade formerly, with taking a multitude of apprentices, for private and preſent gain, that now, not one half of the Journiemen, can get work to put bread in their heads: That the Journymen, ſtand in more aw (many of them) and fear, to diſpleaſ their Workmaſters, then their apprentices doe; And this is the true reaſon, ſo much bad ſleight ſilver thread is made.

If one man will not work at, ſuch ſizes, and ſuch price (that the Silver ſhall run ſuch a length, that many of the Workmen even dravv their eyes out of their heads;) So that vvhen the Silver com’s to bee put on the Silke, it is in a manner, as thin as a gilt on a bay leaf, the vvind vvil blovv the Silver avvay of the ſilk: and then the vvheele-men and hand ſpinners, muſt agree vvith ſom of theſe vvorkmaſters, as the Silkmen did vvith the Dyers, they muſt make one pound of ravv Silk, vveigh, tvvo pound, vvhen it com’s from dying; ſo the Maſter vvyer-dravvers vvill, and at this day do, force many of their Worke-men to make Silver, three ounces Silver to cover ſix ounces of ſilk and fovr ounces ſilver to cover five ounces of Silke, and this is ſold for good ſilver thread by the Maſter vvyer dravvers and Silkemen, ſo that the vvearers are Cozened many times half in half, And this makes Knaves againſt a regulation, For they can get more by ſelling ten pounds vvorth of this ſleight and deceitfull Silver Lace, then they can do by ſelling fourty pounds vvorth of good ſilver Lace: this is the true reaſon, vvherefore they vvould have no Sealer, but vvould have the Regulation of this buſineſs left amongſt the Refiners and Wyer-dravvers themſelvs.

This is the Subſtance of the Women ſpynners, and many of the Journymen vvyer-dravvers deſires, at this day, vvhich they vvould give under their hands, and proſecute it, by hundreds, if they vvere aſſured your Highneſs and the Parlament vvould appoint a ſtrict Regulation of theſe 104 abuſes in their Trade; They will attend the Counſell of Trade and humbly preſent their deſires concerning all the premiſes.

My moſt humble Petition to your Highneſs and the Parlament is, For the ſpeedy paſsing the Act againſt Tranſporters of Gold and Silver, & againſt the Cullers, and melters down of the heavy Coyns of this Nation, and ſuch as buy Gold or Silver above the price of the Mynt.

THis Act was in M^r Auguſtin Garlands, hands in 1652. (a member of the long Parlament) and was recomended to the Parlament, by the Counſell of State, and was drawn up by a Committee of the Counſell of State for the mint, in 1651. for the appointing of Commiſsioners, who ſhould make ſtrickt enquirie after the abuſes of tranſporting Gold and Silver, And then there was an endeavor (by ſom of the Tranſporters of Gold and Silver and of ſuch as unlawfully bought, ſould, exchanged, or melted down, any of the currant coyns of England, or of any Gold or Silver bulloin) to have it paſſed by & with a generall Pardon The Committee for the mint taking Eſpeciall notice, of the greate miſcheifs, that have hapned to the Nation by the ſaid abuſes. when the general pardon was drawing up they made this order to prevent the Offendors eſcaping their due puniſhment. viz.

I did attend the Committee of Parlament and Maſter Attourney General with this aboveſaid order, and they did inſert the exception in the General pardon, and ſo none of theſe offenders are pardoned: the offenders are liable to the Law at this day.

December 20. 1649. THe Committees names Lord Preſident Bradſhaw, Sir James Harrington, Sir Gilbert Pickering Sir William Conſtable, M^r Scot, Mr Bond, Collonel Purefoy, Collonel Joanes, Mr Thomas Challoner, Sir Henry Mildemay, Collonel Morley, Mr Allen, Mr Darley, Mr Cornelius Holland, Mr Nevil, or any two of them, Sir James Harrington had the Chaire for this Committee, hee writes to mee this Letter, viz.

And at the deſire of Sir James Harrington and Mr Thomas Challoner, and others of the Honorable Committee, for the Mint I did write to Holland for all the principal Coynes in Chriſtendom, and did deliver many of them to the officers 107 of the Mint to make an aſſay of them, which ſeveral pieces of forrain gold and ſilver were aſſayed in the Preſence of the Committee of the Mint, they being there at the Tower ſeveral dayes to make theſe Trials, where I attended them, and I ſent into Holland France and Flanders, for all their ſeveral Placares, and did procure the Lawes and Ordinances for regulating their reſpective mints, with the ſeveral ſtandards and weighits for their Coyns, gold or ſilver to be tranſlated, and thereupon the Commitee of the Mint cauſed the principall of theſe forrain Coynes to bee ingraven with their weight and finenes of every piece, according to the ſtandard of each mint, both gold and ſilver, what it ought to weigh, with a juſt Calculation of the vallue what all the ſeveral Species would make in the Tower of London, and the penny weight, and graines that everie ſuch forrain Specie or Coyn would make in the Tower of London, and what proportion our gold and ſilver held with the mints of Flanders France and Holland: and this was exactly calculated by the officers of the Mint and my ſelf, in the years 1651 and 1652, and all the proceedings thereupon. After many moneths time, and the ſeveral Coynes, graven in Copper Plates, were delivered into the cuſtody of Sir James Harrington, the chairman of that committee, to report them unto the Houſ, but the Parlament being diſſolved 20 April, 1653. the Act againſt the Tranſporters of Gold, and all the Proceedings concerning the regulation of the mint was ſtopped for that time. There had been ſeverall Agitations concerning this Act in the houſ manie times in Parlament viz. 18. March 1640. The buſineſs of the examination of the tranſporting Goldand Silver referred to the Committee, that was appointed to conſider of the ſtate of the Kings Army, and Thomas Violet appointed by that order of Parlament to proſecute this buſineſs.

An order of Parlament 1 September. 1647. That the Committee of the navie conſider of ſom effectual courſ to prevent the Tranſportatim of Bullion, and to report what they have don, 108 to the houſ. The Committee of the Navy, 2. September 1647. direct their order to the Commiſsioners and officers of the Cuſtoms and particularly to Mr Edward Watkins, then head Searcher, and they were all deſired to conſider of ſom courſ to prevent the Tranſportation of Bullion out of the nation. In October 1647. All the Commiſsioners with the chief officers of the Cuſtom-houſe ſet down ſeveral waies for the prevention of the Tranſporting of Gold and Silver, which the Marchants by all ſecret means do daily Tranſport. The Committee of the Navy by their order of the third of Dec. 1647. directed their order to the officers of the Mint, to certifie their opinions, what waies & courſes were to bee taken for preventing the Tranſporting of Gold & Silver out of the nation. The officers of the Mint, after great conſultation and conſideration, having taken good advice; (ſom of them having had long experience viz. Mr. Palmer and Mr Cogan were the fitter to give advice) firſt the officers of the Mint upon their certificate deſire that all the Tranſporters of Gold and Silver, and ſuch as have melted down the currant Coyn of the nation, may bee brought to juſtice to Deterr others from acting the like abuſes for the future. Secondly, that according to the preſident of the ſtatute of 14 Richard 2. Cap. 12. A Commiſsion bee granted to make enquirie through the nation after all ſuch as had conveyed the moneys of England out of the nation, and of all ſuch as culd out and melted the heavy currant money, 4 Hen. 4. Cap. 10. the ſixth of Edward 6. Cap. 19. Touching the exchange of Gold and ſilver to bee put in execution, that whoſoever gives more for Gold or Silver then it is or ſhall bee declared, ſhall make fine at pleaſure of the State, To conclude they ſay in their Certificate, that the Mint cannot bee imployed, nor the Tranſporting treaſure ſtopped, if ſom courſ were not ſpeedily taken to diſcover theſe great abuſes, and already all the Gold is Tranſported out of the nation, and the Silver followeth apace, and this is the Certificate of all the chief officers of the Mint. 3. December. 1647.

About November 1647. The Citizens of London petitioned the Parlament againſt the Tranſporters, of Gold and 109 Silver, ſhewing the great miſchiefs that came to the City thereby.

The 18 of Auguſt, 1649. The Counſell of State ordered, that a Committee ſhould bee appointed, to take into their conſiderations, the buſineſs of the Coyn, and the Par between this and other Nations: and that there bee care taken, that the Coyn of this Nation may bee kept from carrying away out of the Nation; And to conſider of ſom means how the Mint may bee ſet on work. In purſuance of this laſt Order, the then Counſell of State did give order for the draught of an Act, which was drawn by order of the Committee for the Mint, And I Thomas Violet was required by the Counſell of State to attend this buſineſs, And upon ſeverall meetings and debates, of ſeverall Honorable members of the then Counſell of State; The draught of an act of Parlament againſt tranſporters of Gold and Silver was finiſhed, and left by order of Parlament in Mr. Auguſtin Garlands cuſtody; and the ſaid Act was twice read in the Houſ, & about the 12 of Aprill 1653. following called for again, and apointed to bee finiſhed; as apears by the Journals of the Houſ: But other mighty buſineſs did intervene.

May it pleaſ Your Highneſs! It was eaſily to bee diſcerned that ſom guilty Marchants, who had been guilty of Tranſporting of Gold had hindered this Act from paſſing; and I know all the Members in that Parlament were not free from tranſporting gold and ſilver, and that made ſome of them ſay, as long as they ſat within the Parlament wall, that Act, againſt tranſporting gold, culling the Engliſh coyns or buying of gold and ſilver, contrary to the law, ſhould never paſs the houſ.

Former Ages have made tranſporting gold and ſilver Fellony, as appears by ſeverall Statutes; And all ſuch as 110 Cull and melt the currant Coyns of the Nation, to forfeit treble the value, of the monies, they have melted or cauſed to bee melted: And by the Statute of 6 Ed. 6. cap. 19. who ſoever gives more for Gold or Silver, then it is or ſhall bee declared by the Kings Procamation to be currant for within this his Highneſs Realm; that all the ſaid coyned monies gold or ſilver, ſo exchanged & every part and parcel thereof ſhall be forfit, and the parties ſo offending, ſhall ſuffer Impriſonment, by the ſpace of one year, and make fine at the Kings Pleaſure.

I have for theſe many years, preſſed for an act of Parlament to bee made according to the Statute of 14. Rich. 2. cap 12. for Comiſſions, to go through the Nation, to enquire of ſuch as have conveyed the gold and ſilver, out of England, to the prejudice and damage of the Nation. 9. Ed. 3. cap. 3. 17. Rich. 2. cap. 1. 2. H. 4. cap. 4. 4. H. 4. cap. 10. 9. H. 5. cap. 1. 2. H. 6. cap. 6. 4. H. 7. cap. 13. 1. H. 8. cap. 13. By all theſe aforeſaid Laws and Statutes, your Highneſs’s predeceſſors endeavored ſtricktly to looke to the preſervation of the Coyns of the Nation.

May it pleaſe your Highneſs,

THere was about twenty milions of gold and ſilver, coyned in the Tower, from the year 1622. to 1645 as will •ppear by the Mynt books, upon a calculation (which The Clerkes can quickly finde out to a penny) and all this gold is already tranſported, the currant ſilver coyns all culled and the heavieſt tranſported or melted to make gold and ſilver lace, and that monies which remains is clipped and light. And theſe miſchiefs have been acted by perticuler perſons and will every day increaſ, without ſome ſpeedy and timely remedy bee had, to find out the Offendors.

The currant Silver coyns of the Nation have been greatly ſpent, in making the manufacture of gold and ſilver wyer, 111 thread &c. formerly in the years, from 1624, to 1630. There beeing then a war with Spain, Starling ſilver was ſold, by the Goldſmiths for five ſhilling and three pence and five ſhilling and four pence, the ounce, Now the money in the Tower is coyned at five and a pence, So that all but the clipped and verie light mony was melted down, to make plate and gold and Silver wyer and thread. And this was known to bee the generall practice, of almoſt all the Goldſmiths and Refiners in London. I moſt humbly ſay. There is never an honeſt Goldſmith in London, that will have the face to deny this to bee a trueth, Silver was then ſo ſcarce that in payment of a thouſand pounds you ſhould receiv nine hundred pounds in gold, and then in 1629. men were troubled to get ſilver monie for gold, Silver was ſo ſcarce: The Eaſt India company bought up in thoſe years, Spaniſh monie and dollers and gave four ſhilling 10 pence a peice for them, which is five pence in a peice of Eight more then they will make in the Mint.

Now your Highnes hath a warr with Spain the fountain of Silver is diverted for the preſent, ſo that ſilver riſeth, and ſo conſequently the Goldſmith weighs and culls all the Silver, that paſſeth through his hands, And as the market riſeth ſo doth the Goldſmith lighten his plummet, or weight hee culls the Mony of the Nation with, till at laſt they will cull and melt it all up.

Som Goldſmiths in Lumbert ſtreet, (contrary to the law) have bought and ſold Milions of Gold till now at laſt, they have bought & ſould all the Gold out of the Nation, and the currant Silver coyn of this Nation, is following after a great pace, and will ſtil follow except a ſtrict Law bee made to diſcover the offendors, and bring them to ſevere juſtice to deterr others, there will be no mony left in the Nation. neither gold nor ſilver. The ſad effects of ſuch a miſcheif is not ſuddenly apprehended, for no great action can be don without monie; And the long Parlament though they could not then agree, for the paſsing of an act againſt the Tranſporters of Gold and Silver, yet they excepted all ſuch as tranſported Gold or 112 Silver, or culled or melted the currant coyns, or bought or ſold gold and ſilver, contrary to the Laws and ſtatutes of the Nation from the generall Pardon. A Commiſsion to enquire and find out the offendors, directed to ſkillfull diſcreet perſons, and authorized by act of Parlament, according to former preſidents will bring in good ſtore of monies towards the payments of publique debts.

May it pleaſ your Highneſs (for the Regulating of Gold and Silver thread) If the Refiners and wyer drawers bee not tyed to refine all the ſilver for their manufactures, in one place, and not to melt any ſilver but what ſhall bee Imported from beyond the Seas, or ſhall proceed from burnt ſilver, Returns of their Manufacture, and this to bee duely and ſtrictly enjoyned them, and that culling and melting of the currant Silver monie of the Nation, for theſe manufactures Bee, for the future, made Fellonie; and ſtrickt Rules and ordinances to provent all the frauds formerly practiſed both by the Refiners and wyer-drawers, (which offences are by me moſt humbly preſented to your highneſs, & the Parlament for a redreſs and reformation) If there bee not ſuch officers and Miniſters appointed as aforeſaid, This manufacture will never bee regulated nor the frauds prevented. I do alſo implore your Highneſs Grace and Juſtice for the Reſtoring mee to my place which I had, and to have ſuch ſees as formerly I Received, and I to warrant the Manufacture to bee juſtly made to the nation, or pay the damage to any that are damnified by any gold or ſilver thread, ſealed in my Office. And that your Highneſs and the Parlament, will bee graciouſly pleaſed out of your Benignity favorabily to accept of theſe your loyall ſubjects Endeavours to do your Highneſs and the common wealth moſt humble and faithfull ſervice; which ſhall for ever oblige mee dayly to proceed, and for ever to Remain your humbleſt Loyall Subject.