1608 - 18.06. W. Ellis and W. Gree to Lord Sheffild, Lord President of the Council in the North.
Upon receipt of these L. enclosed letters from sir Richard Cholmley, knight, and this petition from the inhabitants of Whitbystrand sent herewith, we write our privat letters to sir Thomas Posth. Hoby, sir Francis Boynton, two of this Council, and sir Richard chomley, to make stay of the corn ingrossed and ready to be transported until your pleasure be signified. Which in respect of the dearth lately grown and scarcity of corn in those parts we thought very fit to be done for the present, desiring to understand you further pleasure; and if so seem meet that you will acquaint and confer with the Lord treasure touching the same, that upon your advertisement to us we may take such course as to your wisdom shall be thought expedient. – At York, 10.06. 1608.
1608 - 06.06. Sir Richard Cholmley to sir John Fearne and sir William Gree.
I am enforced in behalf of this liberty of Whitbystrand to appeal to yourself and associates for redress of some inconveniences likely to fall upon us, if by yourmeans they be not presently prevented. At this present there is that general fear apprehended by the inhabitants of the liberty for an ensuring scarcity of corn in this country, and in my opinion of just grounds, as may rightly move a timely care for the repressing so great an inconvenience. I am of opinion we do yearly receive such blessing in the fruits of the earth within ourselves as give just occasion to be thankful to the grantor in a reasonable plentiful relieving our necessities in that kind, were it not that some private men respecting their own end more than common good, sought as at this present by engrossing and importing to places within the Kingdom where such corn give greater prices than in this country (although wheat be now sold at 4 s. the bushel, and better) to put the whole country hereabouts in a private want, not being able to relieve themselves by the market, the means thereof by these unlawful courses wholly taken away. There is much corn this present bought up here and ready to be shipped for other ports, and more expected if some present course be not had to stay it for the proportion of the country where it has been bread. The justices in the sessions have power to take knowledge of such abuses which course without your trouble I could hold and punish the offenders to prevent future evils of the like nature, but shall no ways be able thereby to give that present relief the estate of the course requires, the sessions being two months hence and the corn daily expected to he embarked. I have been much laboured by the poorer sort to give redress to these inconvenience, but finding a disability, for the reasons alleged, of my own present power, I thought it fitting to acquaint you, requiring you will take his course by prohibition or otherwise as you think fittest.
1608 - 30.05. The justices of Kent to Lord Wotton.
Since our letter we have received no order for provision of corn for the poore sort at prices reasonable, or for furnoshing the markets which are now badly served and the prices increased extremely without just cause to 48 s. and 50 s. the quarter in the markets, and four marks and three pounds already demanded by private persons we pray that stay be made of transportation of corn out of these parts, and that a survey be taken of the store in these parts, and a proportion made (for the poor sort) of wheat, barley, beans and oats as they may be able to buy it; and for the residue that the markets may be served therewith, and example made of such as set extreme and unconscionable prices without cause. It is already came to that necessity and danger, the number of the poor and their want being so great, that we have course to fear the inconvenience that may ensue.- Canterbury.
1608 - 18.07. Willam Wynter to Earl of Salisbury.
Mr. Arthur Ingram of London has (from your L.’s own report) made known unto me that there is a suit preferred in my name for recompense for some service done by me in the making stay of corn this year as it was passing for the parts beyond the sea. I had commandment from the Lord High Admiral that I should make stay of all corn that I should meet with, that had a purpose for transportation. Some, it was my chance to meet with, I brought to Portsmouth and (it) was there sold, and is to be sold to the poor and others that will buy, for which I never made suit for other recompense than that which I have, which is the favour of may Lord and master and the prayers and love of the poor. I any lewd person has made any such suit as is reported, it is a thing I never purposed, and I do desire that the person who has so abused your L. and me might have his deserts by worthy punishment, as to you shall seem fit. – Portsmouth, 18.07, 1608.
1608 - 31.10. The justices of Cornwall to Earl of Salisbury.
They feare that by untrue information of great plenty of corn there, Salisbury my give warrant to take up corn to pass for London or other ports. They bought experience dearly last year, for it was thought much might be spared, and the less care was taken to prevent secret transportation: whereby great sums of money were disbursed by their shire for corn brought from Ireland, Denmark and divers parts of England: and the want thereof is such now that many can scarce pay their rents. If prices rise higher than at present, being above 8 d. a gallon, it may prove very dangerous to the poorer sort. They cannot expect corn from Denmark or the last ports, because it has failed in the inland shires, and they are the remotest port of the Kindom. They have also to consider the provisioning of his M.’s ships. They beg that the officers of the ports may be ordered not to make any cocket to transport corn hence from port to port without the licence of two justices. In the meantime they make stay of such transportation till Salisbury’s pleasure be know.- penry, last of October, 1608. Signed: Rayno;d Mohun; W.Wrey, Jo.Parker; Nicholas Prideaux; Rd. Carew of Antony; F. Vyvyan; Thomas Seyntaubyn.
1608 - 11.05. The P.C. to Lord Treasure Salisbury.
We assure ourselves you L. very well conceives that albeit our letters of the 7.12. last for the general restraint of transportation of grain were then written very earnestly, as the present occasion required to the Lord Treasure deceased, yet notwithstanding such as should have immediate care (as inferior officers of the ports) to the due execution of these our letters well no doubt be remiss in performance of their duty by death, which we are the rather induced to think for that since the date of our said letters the price of corn a most parts of the Realm is rather increased than diminished, principally growing out of the abuse of those officers, and secondly, out of the covetous disposition of such owners, farmers and merchants as engrossing and reserving great quantities of grain do by the willful connivance or negligence of the officers suffer the same to be transported, to their immoderate and unlawful gain and the notable prejudice of the subject, especially of the poorer sort of the subject, especially of the poorer sort. We have there for thought it requisite to renew those our letters unto you, sending a copy of them here enclosed, though we make no doubt but you in your wisdom and great discretion would have given order to this business (as Lord Treasurer of England) without those our letters, considering the necessity of the present time and the extraordinary inconveniences that usually grow through scarcity; and will also prevent that the officers of the ports may not from henceforth have liberty to commit like abuses as in former times have been very frequent with them. And so not doubting but these may abundantly by suffice unto you in this behalf we bed you right heartily well to fare. – From the Court at Whitehall, 11.06. 1608.
1608 - 06.06. Sir Thomas Lake to Earl of Salisbury.
It may please you to receive herewith the proclamation for starch, the warrant for sir Jevis (Jervase) Clifton, a letter to the Earl of Pembrok for miners, one other to the Treasurer of Irlend for allowance to the Lord Deputy, and two letters, of his of my Lord of Conterbury, the other to you concerning the publishing of books and letter for the Q.’s withan to have recusants, which is passed in the name of one Brown, as mr. Spiller directed. ……………………
1608 - 04.07. Names of the transporters and ingrossers of grain given into the Court of Exchequer by Robert Bedoe, Robert Beane and Wainewright.
Although many in number, yet a usual matter. Their fines are commonly cessed at a small rate exept your Honour take order herein for the good of your orator list of 44 names follows. Note at fool singned by the Earl of Salisbury and sir Jlius Caesar; To grant these forfeitures away before they be adjudged were to make the defence on the innocent subject more chargeable than were fit; and to grant them afterwards were directly contrary the King’s own orders and to take so much money out of his coffers.
1608 - 05.01. Henry Lowe to P.C.
This petition enclosed was delivered to myself and my brothen by the Company of Grocers of this City, complaining, whereas the king has pleased for the redress of great annoyances occasioned by the making of starch, to great letters patents for the incorporating certain persons, allowed and using the trade of starch making into one company upon hope that by the care of the said company the annoayances aforesaid should be formed. But so it is that since the said incorporation many great inconveniences are grown in that trade, as namly, that the making thereof is brought into a few men’s hands and the price thereby rised from 15 s. to 30 s. the hundred, to the particular benefit of the patentees and the great prejudice of the commonwealth. Moreover they go about to compel such as deal in that commodity to buy starch of them only and of none other at such prices as they shall limit, and to that purpose they require bonds of such as endeavour to provide themselves otherwise, threatening them that refuse to give bond that they shall be committed to prison without any bail; with divers other grievances expressed at large in their petition. To remedy whereof they have desired me to be a means that your two will receive information of the same, that such as are freemen of this city may enjoy their liberty and custom of free buying and selling in their trade in such ample and lawfull manner as is fitting without trouble or impeachment, according to such grants and privileges as his Highness has confirmed unto them. Whereof I doubt not but your L. will have consideration according to tour wonted favour to the commonwealth of this city.- L., 5.02. 1607.
1608 Wheat stored in Kent.
Gentleman commanded to certify what wheat they find a very man’s keeping within their “lath”. Mr. Fame to do the like in the ports. Places named: Sutton at Hone, Ayleafard, Seraye, Shopway, St. Augistin.
1607 Justice of Somersetshire to the Council.
We have assembled to put execution throughout this county your directions for the stay of transportation of corn, and reformation of toverns and victualling houses………………………………………………………………………………………………