IN this Anſwer it will not be neceſſary to bee limited within the ſtrict time where the Projectors began▪ which was in Anno. 1627. thereby to ſerve their own occaſions, but is intended to declare the truth of the moſt uſuall and conſtant prices of Salt at the City of London, as it hath beene ſold for 40. yeares laſt paſt, as in the ſequell ſhall appeare.

That in Anno 1600. even till the latter part of the yeare, 1627. the moſt uſuall price either of white or bay Salt, was neare about 50. s. or 3. l. a Wey, and often ſold under that price, as can be ſufficiently proved.

That in the ſaid yeare 1627. the Warres began betweene the Kings Majeſty of Great Britaine, and the French King, and the King of Spaine; in which time, till the peace was concluded betwixt thoſe Kings, the commoditie of Salt was very deare and ſcarce, eſpecially French Salt, which was at 6. s. or 7. s. a buſhell at the City of London, which came to paſſe in regard the Salt-workes in France were deſtroyed.

Firſt, at the Ile of Ree by the Duke of Buckinghams deſigne.

Secondly, by the French King himſelfe in the warres when he tooke in Rochel.

And thirdly, by intemperate Raine which fell that time in France. So that the Kingdome of France it ſelfe, which was wont to ſupply many other parts, as England, Ireland, Holland, the Eaſtland, and Germany, was thereby neceſſitated with want of that commodity for its owne occaſion. And therefore not to be admired, that the French King made an Edict in Anno 1630. that no Salt ſhould bee exported out of his Kingdome, (untill his ſtore ſhould bee ſupplyed againe.) Which ſcarcity in France for that preſent, forced all men to ſend into Spaine for Salt, and thereupon a great number of Ships from all parts arriving there at one time, gave the King of Spaine occaſion to make uſe of the preſent neceſſity, and layd a great Impoſt on the Salt that ſhould bee tranſported from thence.

The very ſame cauſe alſo moved the Kings Majeſty of Great Britaine, and the Lords of the Councell, to order in that time of ſcarcity of Salt, by meanes of a Petition exhibited to the Lords by the Lord Maior of the City of London, and divers other Ports in Anno 1630. that no Salt ſhould be tranſported into any forraigne parts, which was effectually granted them by the Lords. But when in one or two yeares after, and that in France there were erected Salt-workes, and Salt was made plentifully againe, as in the yeare 1632. then by the Edicts of the ſaid Kings, the great impoſition of Salt in Spaine and France ceaſed, and Salt became cheape againe, and Trade free as in former yeares, as about 3. l. or 3. li. 10. s. per Wey, for Engliſh or French, and 4. l. per Wey for Spaniſh Salt at moſt, which continued till December, 1634.

So that the cauſe of the dearth of Salt in France, Anno 1628. till Anno 1632. hapned through Warre and intemperate Weather, as before is ſpecified, and not by the pleaſure of Princes, by laying of a great Impoſt upon it, as they the Patentees falſly pretended; but the Projectors were deſirous to make that an occaſion of bringing their covetous deſires to effect, and about that time they beganne to deviſe to bring an Impoſt on the Engliſh native Salt, which was and is dearer to the makers of it then any other ſalt ſpent in this Kingdome. For French and Spaniſh Salt being made onely by the heat of the Sunne, ſtands not the makers of it in above 10. s. or 20. s. or 30. s. a London Wey at the moſt, according to the drineſſe, or the wetneſſe of the Summer, whereas the Engliſh Shields Salt at 1. d. per Gallon, (which is the cheap price the Patentees boaſt of ſtands the makers of it in 53. s. 4. s. the like Wey at leaſt, being alſo the weakeſt Salt of all other by one third part, and therefore cannot beare any Impoſt, without deſtroying the Engliſh manufactures, as theſe Projectors have all this time practiſed, to the deſtruction thereof, although they pretended the contrary.

It is to be obſerved, that a Wey of Salt at the City of London, containeth 40. Buſhels, and every Buſhell 10. Gallons, which is the right meaſure according to the Statute; from which, in moſt other Ports it much differeth.

That in December, 1634. the firſt Projectors, conſiſting of twenty two in number, (whereof five were Knights, the other ſeventeene had the titles of Eſquires and Gentlemen) having determined and practiſed formerly to doe miſchiefe in this Land wherein they were borne and bred, and being all or moſt of them unexperienced in the matter they tooke in hand, deviſed and obtained this Monopoly of Salt, miſ-informing his Majeſty, and the Lords of the Councell, that it would be a great benefit to this Kingdome of England, and that of Scotland, to erect workes for the making a ſufficient quantity of Salt, &c. and at a certaine moderate price, (as they ſo termed it) not exceeding 3. l. a Shields Wey, which is after the rate of 5. l. 12. s. for a Wey delivered at London, which is an intolerable exaction upon a native manufacture, made and ſpent in this Kingdome, as by their Patent more fully doth appeare; (although the Salt pannes in thoſe places were erected long before, and not by theſe Patentees.) Which Patent being obtained by them, they practiſed to oppreſſe the Subject from January 1635. untill Auguſt 1638. all which time the firſt Patentees having made a Monopoly, in taking all the old Workes and Pannes at the Shields into their hands, forced white Salt at the City of London to the price of 4. l. 15. s. per Wey, and for the moſt part to 5. l. per Wey, and ſo in all other Ports according to that rate.

And Bay Salt, by reaſon of their great Impoſt of 48. s. 6. d. per Wey, which was raiſed by a privy Seale, procured by Edward Nuttall, and others his aſſociates, (but nothing brought to accompt for his Majeſty, as yet appeares) was not all that time ſold at London under 5. l. 10. s. per Wey, at leaſt, but commonly at 5. l. 13. s. 4. d. per Wey, or 6. l. whereas the Weſterne parts, which were free of their Patent, as Southampton, Exeter, Plimouth, Briſtol, &c. had it in that time at or about 3. l. the like Wey, and ſometimes under that price, which was moſt unjuſt and unequall, that the Eaſterne parts ſhould ſuffer ſo much thereby, not onely in the price, but alſo in hindrance of Navigation, and loſſe of Trade.

That about July, 1638. the firſt Patentees having difference with Maſter Murford of Yarmouth, who had a Patent granted before theirs at Shields, prevailed againſt them, and ſome of them of the firſt Patent being wearied with the deſigne, voluntarily laid downe their Patent.

That after the firſt Patentees gave over their Patent, the Salt-makers at Shields in Auguſt, 1638. reaſſumed their Pannes, and ſold Salt there cheape againe, and thereby both Scottiſh and Shields Salt was ſold at London for 3. l. per Wey, or near thereabout, untill January following, that Thomas Horth and his aſſociates obtained a grant of their Patent, which they preſently after put in execution, yet Horth and his aſſociates of the ſecond Patent had no time to raiſe the price of white Salt at Shields to that height as they deſired; for the Scots preſently after the firſt Pacification in Auguſt, 1639. brought it downe at London to 2. l. 17. s. per Wey, whereas Horth and his Aſſociates in June and July 1639. would ſell none at London under 4. l. 10. s. per Wey.

That whereas the firſt and ſecond Projectors of both Patents, to cleare themſelves of the great wrong done by them to his Majeſty and his Subjects, doe in their printed Papers lay the blame on the traders in Salt of the City of London, ſeeking therby to gloſſe over their oppreſſing the Subjects even in the face of this Honourable Parliament, ſtill pretending as formerly, that what they did was for his Majeſties profit, benefit of Navigation, ſupport of home manufacture, and generall good of the ſubject, and many ſuch like things, all which pretences are meere falſhoods and ſuggeſtions.

For firſt his Majeſties Revenew is no way increaſed, as doth appeare by their payments into his Majeſties Exchequer, being in all but 700. l. whereas they have received Impoſt, and remaine debtors to his Majeſty many thouſands, as by further examination and proofe of their accompts will appeare.

Secondly, Navigation hath beene much hindred thereby, as by a former Petition of the Trinity houſe to his Majeſty and the Lords of the privy Councell appeareth, as alſo it hath beene ſufficiently proved before the Committee for the Salt buſineſſe, by the Maſter and Wardens of the Trinity Company, who are moſt ſenſible of the deſtruction and advancement of the Shipping and Navigation of this Kingdome.

Thirdly, they have ſo cheriſhed the home manufacture, by laying a heavy Impoſt upon it, that thoſe that had 240. Pannes of their own, and were thriving people at the Shields, before their Patents were of force, and were the makers there of Salt, are by the meanes of theſe Patentees become ſo poore, that the greater part of them are not able to buy coals to ſet their Pannes on worke. And thoſe the Patentees who bought 34. Pannes of the old traders, did ceaſe working for the moſt part of the yeares 1639. and 1640. by reaſon they could not attaine to their intended price of 56. s. 8. d. per Wey at the Shields. So that whereas there was formerly made at the Shields before their Patents began about 16000. Wey per annum, they made in the time of the firſt Patent, which continued about three yeares and a halfe, not above 10000. Wey per annum. And in the time of the latter Patent but 8000. Wey per annum, even before the comming in of the Scottiſh Army into thoſe parts: by all which appeares how much they have deſtroyed the native manufacture, and have no wayes advanced or increaſed it, as they pretended.

Fourthly, for their pretences of the generall good of the Subject, in place whereof they have ſo oppreſſed the Subject in generall, that not onely the traders in Salt of the City of London, have juſtly complained of their grievances to the Honourable Court of Parliament, but alſo Salt-refiners of Eſſex and Suffolke, alſo many Merchants in the Weſt parts as far as Weymouth, as alſo from Yarmouth, and many other ports North as farre as Newcaſtle, that came up to London onely to informe the Court of Parliament of the great burden they have beene forced to lye under, even to many of their undoings: And many more would come up, had they not beene ſo impoveriſhed by them the Patentees, that they are not able to beare their charges in comming ſo farre to complaine of their grievances. In generall, they have been the oppreſſors of Fiſhermen, and all the ſubjects of theſe North Eaſt parts of England, to the value of many thouſand pounds in eſtimation, above foureſcore thouſand pounds ſince the time of their entring into theſe Patents, which can be made plainly to appeare by one yeares importation for forraigne and Scottiſh Salt, collected out of the Cuſtomehouſe bookes, and Meters bookes of London, and for native Salt out of their owne bookes.

Viz.

In the yeare 1637. (which was in the time of their firſt Patent) of Bay and Spaniſh Salt there was imported but 1364. Wey, which at 48. s. 6 d. per Wey, is impoſt 3307. l. 14. s. whereas in the yeare 1634. when the trade was free there was 4620. Wey of forraigne Salt imported, by which may be obſerved the decay of forraigne Trade during the time of their Impoſt.

That the Impoſt of forraigne Salt was received and taken of all the Subjects between Barwicke and Southampton, by vertue of Privy Seale dated in May 1636. procured by Edward Nuttall, and others his aſſociates, but nothing brought to accompt by them, nor paid to his Majeſties uſe for the two yeares and 6. moneths, (as can yet appeare.)

That of Scottiſh and native white Salt Shields meaſure, there were expended for land uſe about 16000. Weyes, which at 10. s. per Wey Impoſt, and 10. s. per Wey increaſe of price, which came to paſſe by the Patentees contracting with the Scotch for deare ſelling, and can appeare to be damage to the ſubjects at leaſt in one yeare, in the price of the white Salt 16000. l.

That for Fiſhers uſe of Scottiſh and native Salt, an eſtimate of 3000. Shields Wey, and upwards, at 3. s. 4. d. per Wey Impoſt, and 6. s. 8. d. increaſe of price, is at leaſt 1500. l.

Whereby it appeares that the ſubjects ſuffered in one yeare by the firſt Salt Patents, 20807. l. 15. s.

That the Patentees for Salt continued their firſt and ſecond Patents above 5. yeares.

By all which it is manifeſt how profitable theſe Patents have beene to the Patentees, how little benefit hath accrued to his Majeſty thereby, how great a burden to the Subjects in generall, and to the old Salt makers, and the Merchants for forraigne Salt, and all Fiſhermen, who uſe great quantities thereof, and to all traders in the ſame in their particulars. But if any trader in Salt hath either joyned with thoſe Patentees in any indirect way, thereby to uphold them, or the extreme price of Salt, they are not hereby intended to be excuſed, but to be left to the conſideration of the Honourable Houſe of Parliament.

And whereas Horth and his Aſſociates ſeek to juſtifie their Patent, comparing it with that which Maſter Murford intended (which would alſo have beene alike illegall with theirs, by laying an Impoſt on native Salt (as they have practiſed.)

For anſwer thereunto is ſaid, that the unlawfulneſſe of Murfords Patent intended, cannot make that of Horths to bee lawfull which was practiſed by him. For as well that of Horths, as alſo the firſt Patent, have beene ſufficiently diſcuſſed by the Committee appointed by the Honourable Houſe of Commons now aſſembled in Parliament, for the hearing of that buſineſſe, and is by them moſt juſtly condemned to be illegall, a Monopoly, and prejudiciall to the Common-wealth. For ſo it is, that a Monopoly is a kinde of commerce in buying and ſelling uſurped by a few, and ſometimes by one perſon, and foreſtalled by them or him from all others, to the gaine of the Monopoliſt, and to the detriment of other men.

That the latter Patentees further proceed in their juſtification, declaring the low rates the ſubjects have beene ſerved at ſince the time of the ſettlement of their Patent, which is (as they ſay) at 1. d. ob. per Gallon at the moſt, which in truth is a moſt intolerable exaction on the ſubject. For 1. d. ob. per gallon is no leſſe then 50. s. a Sheilds Wey, which is but five eight parts of a London Wey, and ſo the fraught being added, which is 10. s. a Shields Wey, without Impoſt, it will ſtand the Adventurer in no leſſe then 4. l. 16. s. a Wey London meaſure; whereas it may bee afforded, delivered at London, for 3. l. 12. s. per Wey, which is after the rate of 35. s. per Wey to the Salt makers at Shields for their Wey, at which ſaid price of 35. s. per Wey, the old Salt makers ſay, they can afford it, but not under.

And for the rare of 1. d. per Gallon, which is the cheape price they ſo much boaſt on, it being but 33. s. 4. d. a Wey Shields meaſure, at which price, if they ſold any ſo cheape, it was much againſt their wills, for they deſired and alwayes ſought to ſettle it at 56. s. 8. d. per Wey Shields meaſure for land uſe, and 46. s. 8. d. for the fiſhing Sea expence, which are the prices laid downe in the latter Patent: yet it is true, that they ſold ſome at lower rates: but they were forced thereto by meanes of the great plenty that was brought in by the Scots, who ſold it at London, Yarmouth, and ſome other Ports at 3. l. a Wey, in Anno 1639. and ſome under that price, as aforeſaid, whereupon the Patentees gave over making Salt at Shields in their 34 pannes, in regard they could not attaine to their intended price of 56. s. 8. d. a Shields Wey, yet ſome of the old Salt makers ſtill wrought, (though to their great loſſe, and ſome of their undoings) ſelling it not for above 30. s. per Wey, yet notwithſtanding they the Patentees took of them the old Saltmakers, without any moderation or compaſſion, the full impoſt of 10. s. for every Shields Wey, for Land uſe, and 3. s. 4. d. per Wey, for the fiſhery expence. For they had forced the old Saltmakers and Salt refiners to enter into bond, for the payment therof unto them, which if they refuſed to do, they violently forced them of the Shields, of great Yarmouth, and Salt Refiners of Eſſex and Suffolke thereunto by impriſoning of ſome, committing of others into Purſuivants hands, and cauſing others to come up and anſwer at the Councell Table, to their great expence both of money and time, which extreamity Horth uſed in that time he was governour more then any other either of the firſt or ſecond Patentees.

That in the Months of September, October and November laſt, Salt became deerer then it was in eight or nine yeares before, which came to paſſe partly by reaſon of the great impoſt continued by the Patentees of the laſt Patent, both on the native and forraigne Salt, and partly by reaſon of the imbarring of the Scottiſh trade, and the comming in of the Scottiſh Army, at that time into Newcaſtle and Shields, ſo that white Salt was ſold in October laſt at the port of London at 6. l. 10. s. per Wey, and Bay Salt in November laſt, was ſold at the port of London for 8. l. per Wey, in regard Maſter Strickſon, Maſter Nuttall, and Maſter Duke, three of the laſt Patentees continued the taking impoſt even untill this preſent Parliament, which three were alſo chiefe of the Projectors of the firſt Patent.

That the 23. of November laſt, the Honourable Aſſembly of Parliament upon a Petition of the traders in Salt of London, injoyned the Patentees to bring in their Patents & ceaſe taking impoſt, and thereupon the price both of White and Bay Salt did fall at the port of London to 3. l. a Wey, and ſome for leſſe: but the windes proving contrary in the latter part of December, January and February laſt, for above ten weekes together: And alſo ſmall ſtore of Salt having been laid up in London, or made at Shields by reaſon of the troubles in thoſe parts with the Scottiſh Army, the ſtore of white Salt for want of ſupply was ſoone ſpent here at London: and had it not beene that the Parliament before that time had taken off the Impoſt of forraigne Bay and Spaniſh Salt, whereby there was good quantities of forraigne Salt brought in, this City of London had been ſo neceſſitated for Salt, as the like hath not been knowne. Yet from the Kings Store houſe, and the Eaſt India Company, and other ſuch like places, there was ſome ſmall quantities of white Salt found, which ſupplyed the preſent want thereof, and was ſold in thoſe deereſt times at or neere Billingſgate by ſome of the Traders in Salt for 6. s. 8. d. per Buſhell at moſt, but Bay Salt all that time was ſold for 22. d. or 2. s. a buſhell, and not above all that time, which was in the Moneth of February, but before that Moneth was expired, and ever ſince it hath beene ſold for 2. s. per Buſhell, and five peckes to the Buſhell, at or neare Billingſgate.

And whereas the Patentees alledge that white Salt was ſold for 2. s. a pecke, at that inſtant day, when they publiſhed their printed papers, it is manifeſtly to bee proved that ten or twelve daies before they publiſhed them, white Salt was cryed in London ſtreets at 5. d. a pecke, and ſo ever ſince, which proves their printed papers to be ſcandalous and falſe, in laying forth ſo many imputations upon the Traders in Salt, as though they were the cauſe of deare ſelling, which was only their continued impoſitions, and the occaſion of the time as afore is ſhewed.

That before the Patentees had obtained their Patent for Salt, there was imported yearly to London great quantities of Spaniſh, Straits, and French Salt, by Merchants, Navigators and Traders. And that many hundred Weyes thereof were from thence yearly tranſported for Flanders, Holland, Denmarke, and the Eaſt Countrie, whereby ſhips had their imployments both inwards and outwards, his Majeſties Cuſtomes improved, and many poore people, as Porters and Labourers had their maintenance thereby; which trade of Importation is in a manner wholly decayed ſince the time theſe ſeverall Patents were obtained.