1638-1639, Edited by John Bruce, Esq. and William Douglas Hamilton, Esq., 1871
Vol CCCCI, Nov 7, 1638
27. Lawrence Whitaker, George Long, and others, Justices of Peace for Middlesex, to the
Council. Report under an order of reference of 17th October last, respecting the immoderate price
of sea coals. First, notwithstanding the provisions lately made for selling sea coals from the
ships at 17s. or 18s. the chaldron, such as bring the coals from Newcastle take
liberty to themselves to sell out of their ships at what prices they please, which liberty is one
of the principal causes of the general enhancing of the price. Secondly, the wharfingers and
woodmongers pretend that their charges, viz., for metage, lighterage, wharfage, and carriage,
stand them in 2s. the chaldron, but that charge we find to be borne by the allowance of
the over-measure from the merchant. Thirdly, the wharfingers and others, albeit they make
their provision in summer at the cheapest rates, yet when the merchants bring in new quantities
of coals, or fail to bring in the same, as by reason of contrary winds has fallen out these
14 weeks past, the retailers sell their coals according to the last prices in times of scarcity.
Fourthly, the carmen of the city challenge to themselves the sole loading and portage of coals
landed within the city, whereby the prices are much enhanced. Fiftly, the chandlers and other
retailers allege that they sell their coals only by the peck to the poor sort of householders,
and that the money they receive is in farthing tokens, whereby they lose 12d. in every
20s. for exchange. Lastly, we conceive that if the coals brought in be put into a few
magazines it will be a means to endear the price. [2 pp.]
Vol CCCCXIII, Feb 16, 1638-9
Licence to Henry Lord Maltravers and his assigns for 21 years to stamp farthing tokens, with a
distinction from those that are used in England and Ireland, and that he may utter the same in
all his Majesty's foreign plantations (except Maryland), with inhibition to all others to
utter the like or any other base coin there, upon pain of seizure of the same, the one moiety
to his Majesty, the other to the Lord Maltravers. There is reserved to his Majesty 10l.
per annum. His Lordship has power to transport the said tokens, custom free. [Docquet.]
1639, Edited by William Douglas Hamilton, Esq., 1873
Vol CCCCXXVIII, Sept 19, 1639
Grant to Henry Lord Maltravers for 21 years for making and issuing farthing tokens for the use of
his Majesty's subjects of England, Wales, and Ireland, with the like distinction of brass, stamps
and inscriptions as were mentioned in former letters patents to Lord Maltravers and Sir Francis
Crane, deceased, which are now surrendered. There is reserved the yearly rent of 80l.
payable at Xmas and Midsummer, and for default of payment, within 40 days after, the grant
is to be void. The patentee is to transport or import these tokens to or from England, Ireland,
and Wales without payment of any custom or other duty. He is to deliever 21s. in tokens
for 20s. sterling money, and to repay 20s. in money for 21s. in farthings
for all such tokens of copper distinguished with brass only as by virtue, either of the former
or of this present grant have been or shall be made, with other clauses as were inserted in the
former letters patents. [Docquet.]
1641-1643, Edited by William Douglas Hamilton, Esq., 1887
Vol CCCCXCVII, February 1642-3
35. Petition of many inhabitants of London, Westminster, Middlesex, Southward, &c. to
the House of Commons, for an order to Mr. Corbet, chairman of the Committee for Grievances,
to bring up a report on the petition referred to them, touching farthing tokens, so that reparation
may be made, and that the office in the meantime may be sequestered, and the engines and
instruments seized, and all tokens rechanged. The office of farthing tokens has for a long
time and still is a greater oppression to many of them than all the projects or monopolies in
England, and for redress thereof they about two years since presented a petition and
remonstrance to the House, which was several times heard and debated before Mr. Corbett and
the Committee for Grievances, and the same has long since been ready for report. The office
is now seized upon for the service of the State, or Prince Elector, whereby the petitioners,
instead of being relieved, are more oppressed and disabled to pay their weekly assessments, and
will be forced to refuse the taking of tokens unless they have relief, as many of them suffer
more by the greivance of farthings than by their weekly assessments and other taxations.
Petitioners hope that so insupportable a grievance will never be maintained by any authority
of the House, although it be represented otherwise by some inferior persons who to work their
own ends have indirectly set it on foot, more for their individual gain than any public good.
[1 p.]
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