An humble declaration to the right honourable the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, touching the transportation of gold and silver, and other abuses practised upon the coynes and bullion of this realm, presented the 12th day of April, 1643 wherein is declared the great mischeifes that have befallen the common-wealth, by the above-said misdemeanours / by Thomas Violet ...

MAY it pleaſe this Honourable Aſſembly, to take into their conſideration, the great miſchiefes and inconveniences that have hapned unto this Kingdome, and moſt eſpecially ſince the firſt yeer of his Majeſties Reigne, by the exporting of Gold and Silver into Forreigne parts, to the ineſtimable damage of the Common-wealth, by the great abuſes of many Gold-Smiths and others, in culling and ſorting the heavie current Coines of this Kingdome, to the end to tranſport or melt down the ſame; and in buying and ſelling Gold and Silver above the price of the Mint; by which meanes they fore-ſtall the Mint, and with the Gold and Silver thus bought, for the moſt part furniſh Merchants and others to tranſport the ſame, being either the ſpecies and peeces of Forreinge Gold and Silver, or the current Coins of Gold and Silver of this Kingdome.

Which Offences being of a high and tranſcendent nature, and ſuch as by the Judgement of Parliament, 5 Richard 2. chap. 2. tend to the ruine and deſtruction of the Common-wealth; for which cauſes all former ages have been very carefull to prevent theſe miſchiefes.

And nevertheleſſe the covetouſneſſe of many men hath been ſuch, that notwithſtanding all theſe Laws and ſeverall proceedings, and Sentences had and given againſt them in an extraordinary way in the Court of Star-chamber; They have of late yeeres tranſported ſo much Gold out of the Kingdome, that as it is credibly conceived by thoſe that pay and receive great ſummes of money, there is not the tenth part of the Gold left, that was in the Stock of this Kingdome in the beginning of his now Majeſties Reigne, ſo that our new and old Gold is ten times more plentifull in France and in Flanders than it is with us in England, to the unſpeakable loſſe of this Kingdome.

That in the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh yeer of his now Majeſties Reigne, His Majeſtie being informed, and taking notice of the plenty of Engliſh Gold and Coines current in France, and of the abuſes and diſorders above mentioned, befalling the Coyne and Bullion of the Kingdome, and taking the ſame into ſerious conſideration, by the advice of His Privie Councell directed, that the tranſporters of Gold or Silver, the melters down of the current Silver Coynes of this Kingdome, the buyers and ſellers of Gold and Silver at above the price of the Mint, their Agents Inſtruments and Aſſiſtants, ſhould with all diligence be found and ſeverely puniſhed, according to the Laws: which care of His (and thoſe that endevored therein) nevertheleſſe for ſome time tooke no effect: and notwithſtanding it was generally conceived and underſtood (as the truth was) that great quantities of Gold were weekly carried into France; yet were the Inſtruments uſed therein ſo few and ſecret, and the wayes and means for the tranſporting the ſame ſo cunningly and cloſely contrived, that the ſame could not either by the intercepting of Letters, or by the Merchants or Factors Books of accompts, or the Books of the Gold-Smiths (as formerly it had been in the caſe of the Dutchmen, about the yeer 1618.) be found out or diſcerned, for the Letters were for the moſt part written in Cyphers and Characters, and ſubſcribed and ſigned by ſtrange and unknown names, and yet well known to the Factors and Correſpondents; and for the contents of the Letters, they made mention of Needles, Blades, Gloves, Ribbon, roles of Tobacco, and ſuch like things to be ſent over, and meant by thoſe names: and for the accompts, the ſame was entred in the accompts kept of Exchangers, ſo that no man upon peruſall of ſuch Books, could finde any other thing mentioned but Bills of Exchange: others kept double accompts; and ſuch as had been leſſe warie and cloſe, preſently upon the firſt report of the firſt that was queſtioned touching tranſportation, cancelled and defaced all ſuch Books as could any wayes manifeſt their dealings in the ſame; and though divers Merchants Books of accompts were ſeized on, by order from the Lords of the Privie-Councell, and under Examination in the Hands of St. John Bankes His Majeſties then Attorney Generall, Mr. Diconſon and Mr. Trumball then Clerkes of his Majeſties Councell, and divers others, yet nothing could be proved by their Bookes.

Now His Majeſtie and the Lords finding that the abuſes and offences above mentioned, were acted by, and paſſed through ſo many hands, and grown to ſuch a height that the ſame could not be reformed without exemplarie puniſhment, and conſidering the diſcovery and proſecution of all offences of this nature ſo ſecretly and cunningly contrived as aforeſaid, would very hardly (if at all) be diſcovered and found out with any diligence of ſuch as were not acquainted with the ſaid contrivances:

Hereupon this Declarant, being by ſome detected before the Lords of His Majeſties Privie Councell, to be a tranſporter of Gold and Silver, and therefore ſuffered a long impriſonment (with perill of his life, and loſſe of much of his eſtate, abroade and here) was by His Majeſtie and divers Lords of the ſaid Councell commanded and enjoyned to attend and proſecute in this buſineſſe of tranſportation of Gold, for the ſervice of His Majeſtie and the Common-wealth, for which he was to receive his enlargement, with promiſe of his Pardon.

And further, to more encourage him therein, a promiſe in his Majeſties name was declared by the then Lord Keeper Coventry, Mr. Secretary Cooke, and other officers of State, that this Declarant, beſides his enlargement and pardon, ſhould aſwell have ſatisfaction of ſuch money as he ſhould expend in the diſcovery and proſecution of Delinquents for the foreſaid offences, as alſo to receive a reward for his time taken and ſpent in this ſervice, out of the Fines of ſuch Delinquents as ſhould by other teſtimonies then of this Declarant be proved to be offenders: Upon which Commands and Promiſes of the Kings Majeſty, and to preſerve and keep himſelfe from the evills then depending on him, he undertooke this ſervice, as Sr. John Banks now chiefe Juſtice of his Majeſties Court of Common Pleas, Sr. John Cooke, beſides divers others of honour and quality, very well know.

And thereupon this Declarant attending his Majeſties ſaid Attorney aſwell with ſuch names as this Declarant had preſented touching the premiſes, as with ſuch as ſome others had named for tranſporters; ſoon after, his Majeſties ſaid Attorney, 22 June 11o. Car. filed a Bill in the Star-chamber againſt divers perſons that had offended touching the premiſes and after, the 30th of the ſaid June, another Information was exhibited againſt other offenders in the Star-chamber.

That both theſe Informations were proſecuted in the Star-chamber, and brought to ſentence by the great care and diligence of his Majeſties ſaid Attorney, as this Remonſtrant humbly conceiveth; but ſo as all the endeavours and labours of making the diſcovery, and finding out the witneſſes, and bringing them from France and other places, and the charges thereof, reſted wholly upon this Declarant, and all other neceſſary Fees for Counſell and other attendances was disburſed by this Remonſtrant, for no other perſon disburſed one penny in or about the ſaid ſervice; in the proſecution of which ſervice, and to bring fourteene offenders to be cenſured in the Star-chamber, beſides three which were Pardoned by His Majeſty; it coſt the Declarant above 2000l. above ſix yeers ſince disburſed, there having been examined in Court above one hundred Witneſſes, found and brought up at this Declarants proper coſt and charges as aforeſaid, and about three yeers time ſpent in the daily attendance of that ſervice.

Both theſe Informations, by the continuall attendance charge and induſtry of this Declarant, and the great and due care of his Majeſties then Attorney, were (notwithſtanding many difficulties, in reſpect of ſome witneſſes to bee found and brought out of France,) made fit and brought to hearing in the Star-chamber, within the ſpace of about a yeere and a halfe, viz. in Hillary Terme in the twelfth yeere of His now Majeſties Reigne; and there were found guilty, and cenſured by the Lords, ſuch perſons and ſuch Fines ſet upon them as follow, viz.

25 Jan. 12 Car. In the firſt Cauſe. Charles Franke 4000l Robert Ellis 4000l Iſaac Romeere 3000l Jacob Delew 1000l Roger Fletcher 1000l Rich. Cockram 1000l John Parrat 2000l

17 February 12 Car. In the ſecond Cauſe. Peter Herne 2000l Jo. Terry 2000l Timothy Eman 2000l Iſaac Brames 1000l Henry Futter 500l Henry Sweeting 500l John Perrin 100l

The totall of the ſaid Fines amount to the ſumme of 24100l.

Sr. John Wollaſton Knight, and William Gibs Eſquire, both Aldermen of the City of London, being informed againſt in this Information, by his Majeſties then Attorney Generall; procured his Majeſties gracious Pardon, and ſo were diſcharged.

Many others there were that were Delinquents, and charged by the ſaid Bill, beſides thoſe who were ſentenced, ſome whereof were taken off by order of the Lords, as charged only with ſelling Silver above the price of the Mint, and Peter Fountaine who was informed againſt for tranſporting of Gold, procured his pardon upon payment of 1100l.

After all theſe proceedings at this Declarants coſt and expences, the Delinquents being fined at 24100l. this Declarant being informed that there was way made by the Merchants to ſome of the Lords to have theſe Fines mitigated, and them inſtalled in a manner to nothing, (divers Merchants and others informing the Lords, that it was no prejudice to the Common-wealth to tranſport Gold and Silver) hereupon this Declarant attended the Lord Keeper Coventry and Mr. Secretary Coze. and they acquainted His Majeſtie therewith, and told His Majeſty, that if the Fines were mitigated, it would but in effect give licenſe to tranſport Gold and Silver, and deſired His Majeſty to ſignifie His pleaſure to the Lords, that the offenders ſhould be cōmitted to the Fleet if they would not pay their Fines, and not goe at liberty as they did: Whereupon His Majeſty was pleaſed to ſend a Meſſage to the Lords in Star-chamber by the Earle of Holland, that His Majeſties pleaſure was, that the tranſporters of Gold ſhould pay their Fines impoſed on them by the Lords in Star-chamber, or elſe the Warden of the Fleet to take them into cuſtodie; and that there ſhould be no mitigation of their Fines, for that would but encourage the tranſportations of Gold and Silver, by which means no treaſure would be left in the Kingdome: notwithſtanding which expreſſe Command from His Majeſtie, (though this mitigation was forborne for a while) yet ſhortly after the ſaid offenders managed their buſineſſe in that manner, that they got themſelves off the 24100l. for 1720l. and 1100l. more Mr. Fountaine paid; in all 2820l. onely John Parrat his Fine, who was a chiefe Inſtrument in the diſcovery of theſe offenders, remained on him ſtill without mitigation at all.

By which the tranſporting of Gold and Silver hath rather been ſleighted and licenſed then hindred, it having coſt this Declarant more in the proſecution than was payd in by the ſaid mitigation; the effect of which mitigation in manner aforeſaid, hath been, that many of thoſe who tranſported Gold before the filing of theſe two Bills, have ſince followed it more than ever, as this Declarant beleeveth, knowing they can get more in a moneth by tranſporting of Gold into France and Flanders, than they ſhall pay according to like mitigation to get off, were it proved againſt them.

In the time of this imployment (by His Majeſties Command) the Declarant did receive divers interruptions in the proſecution of the tranſporting of Gold and Silver, and was impriſoned and detained cloſe priſoner for many dayes, by one Meſy and Stockdale Meſſengers, by warrant ſigned under Mr. Secretary Windebanks hand, onely for proceeding againſt tranſporters of Gold and Silver.

And ſome others, in doing their duties in ſeizing Gold and Silver water-borne, according to ſeverall Statutes, have been ſued and impriſoned to their great oppreſſions, contrary to the Lawes of this Kingdome.

That ſoon after theſe two Bills already cenſured in the Star-chamber, at this Declarants coſt, his Majeſties then Attorney Sr. John Bankes filed a third Bill againſt tranſporters of Gold and Silver, and for melting downe the heavy current ſilver Coynes of this Kingdome; but by reaſon of the great charge and disburſments to bring the two former Bills to ſentence, the Declarant was unable to proceede any further till he could receive ſatisfaction from his Majeſty, according to His promiſe to this Declarant, for the moneys he had disburſed in that ſervice, which this Declarant did from time to time ſue for.

Firſt expecting the ſame out of the ſaid Fines according to the ſaid Declaration, untill ſuch time as the ſame was reduced to the ſmall mitigation, as aforeſaid, and that all diſpoſed to his Majeſties ſervice: whereupon this Declarant was inforced to Petition his Majeſty for ſatisfaction according to His Promiſe formerly made to this Declarant, as aforeſaid; which Petition His Majeſty 10th March 1638. referred to the now Biſhop of London then Lord Treaſurer, the Lord Cottington, and Sr. John Coke, principall Secretary, who calling unto them Sr. John Banks his Majeſties then Attorney Generall, were to conſider thereof, and make report to His Majeſty in their opinions what ſatisfaction they thought fit to be allowed for his ſervice; but their Lordſhips, though often therein attended by this Declarant, and moved therein by Sr. John Coke (who had principall charge from His Majeſty touching this ſervice) to take the ſaid Petition into their conſiderations; yet nothing was therein done by their Lordſhips, to his great damage and diſcouragement to proceede further in this ſervice, that ſo much concerned the Common-wealth, and all trade; and thereupon the Declarant being diſabled thus, all proceedings upon the third Bill ceaſed.

That beſides the fourteene offenders ſentenced in Star-chamber & pardoned, as aforeſaid, there are many other Merchants, Goldſmiths and others, that have tranſported Gold and Silver out of the Kingdome, that have ſold Gold and Silver at above the price of the Mint, that have furniſhed much light gold, Engliſh and Forraigne, and great quantities of Gold and Silver to Merchants and others to tranſport, that have culled and melted downe the weightieſt current Silver Coines, as ſhillings, ſixpences and half crowns, all which offences are againſt the common Lawes of the Kingdome, and ſeverall Proclamations, as may appeare by what ſhall be hereafter declared: which Laws for the diſcovery and proſecution appoint, that ſuch as proſecute and bring to diſcovery any of the aforeſaid offences, are to have a moyitie of what they can prove to be tranſported, as what they ſeize, and to be water-borne to tranſport: And the wiſedome and policie of State hath, upon free and generall Pardons at Parliaments, exempted it out of the free pardon, thereby the more to terrifie and reſtraine men from venturing in that kind, to tranſport gold or ſilver, or to melt down the current ſilver coynes of the Kingdome.

That divers Gold-ſmiths of London are become Exchangers of Bullion of gold and ſilver, and buy it of Merchants and others, pretending to carry it to the Mint; but indeed they are the greateſt inſtruments for tranſporting that are, and, in a manner, they are only thoſe who furniſh tranſporters with Engliſh and forreigne gold, Spaniſh money, Rix-dollers, Piſtollets, Cardacues; culling and melting down the current ſilver coynes of this Realme for plate and ſilver thread: and no doubt, when a true repreſentation of the abuſes of ſuch Gold-ſmiths, Finers, and Wyre-drawers, as hath been formerly, and is daily practiſed by many of them, ſhall be made appeare; this Declarant doubteth not but this high Court will think fit to take the ſame into conſideration, and provide ſome meanes to reſtraine them from doing the Common-wealth that damage as formerly hath been done.

That ſome of the Gold-ſmiths make it their uſe and practice to buy light Engliſh gold of ſhop-keepers and others, which by the Laws of this Kingdome, wanting beyond remedy, ought to be bought as Bullion, and upon the ſale, ought to be defaced, and newcoyned in the Mint: But they take another way; for they ſell all this gold to tranſport, though it want 4. 5. or 6 graines above the allowance, and that a 20s, peece will not make 19s. to be coyned in the Mint; yet the Gold-ſmiths will not abate above 2d. or 3d. and ſometimes but 1d. in the peece, let the gold want what it will; by which meanes they out-give the Mint: And the gold which the Gold-ſmiths buy of the Subjects, thinking it is to carry to the Mint to be newcoyned to paſſe in current payment, they put it into a dead Sea, never to be made uſe of in our Common-wealth: For weekly French and Engliſh have bought up this gold, let it be as light as it will, at 19s, 9d. 19s, 10d. and 19ſ, 11d. and ſo after that rate for all other gold, to the value of many hundred thouſand pounds; for by the Gold-ſmiths rule, the Mint is alwayes laſt ſerved, as being the worſt Chapman, and giving leaſt for it; for after all hands are full, both for tranſporters, Plate-workers, Finers, and Wyre-drawers; then that, which they cannot vent otherwiſe, commeth into the Mint; which the Officers of the Mint know very well: and if gold and ſilver never came into the Goldſmiths hands, (which Merchants ſell to them, beleeving they carry it all to be coyned) far more gold and ſilver would come into the Mint, than now doth.

For, many thouſand of dollers and Spaniſh money they furniſh yearely Merchants with, that trade for Norway and Denmarke and other parts, to tranſport ſilver for thoſe parts, to the great weakning of the ſtock of this Kingdome, and hindrance of the ſale of our wollen commodities, which (before that pernitious way was found out) thoſe Countries vented much of. Beſides the hindrance of the ſale of our commodities, the King is hindred of his Cuſtome; for the Merchants drive a trade inward and outward, and ſo pay the King no cuſtome: For inſtance; Hambrough-Merchants bring great quantities of Rix-dollers from Hambrough and other parts of Germany, and pay no Cuſtome, becauſe the State hath ever made gold and ſilver free to be imported without Cuſtome, which the Merchants uſually ſell to the Gold-ſmiths, and the Gold-ſmiths for the moſt part ſell to the Merchants that trade in Norway and Denmarke: which dollers are cloſely packed in ſome part of the ſhip, and ſo no Cuſtome paid, either for bringing in the ſilver, or ſending it out; and no commodities, in a manner, other than ſilver, are tranſported into thoſe parts by the ſaid Merchants, conſidering the quantity of their returne; For what they want in goods exported from hence, they muſt make up in money: If great returnes of commodities from Norway and Denmarke, and few commodities exported from hence, the Ballance muſt be made up with ſilver; for no Nation will give us commodities; but there muſt be a ballance for goods imported, by goods exported, or by treaſure.

That from the yeare 1621. many Goldſmiths and Caſheers of London culled the weighty ſhillings and ſix-pences, to make into plate, ſilver-wyre, and to other manufactures: for moſt of that time, we having warres with Spaine, little or no ſilver came from thence; ſo likewiſe hath little or no ſilver from France in that time: and no ſilver could be brought out of Holland, by reaſon it went ſo high by Plachart; for Starling-ſilver paſſed in Holland for 4d per ounce higher than it made in our Mint, ſterling being in Holland at 5ſ. 4d. per ounce; ſo that no ſilver could be imported from Holland to ſupply our mint: which the Gold-ſmiths and others perceiving, preſently fell a culling the ſilver moneyes current: and the money being coyned in the mint at 5s. 2d. the Goldſmiths, Finers, and Wyre-drawers did raiſe it up to 5ſ. 3d. per ounce, and melted down all the weighty ſhillings and ſixpences and leſt none to paſſe betwixt man and man, but light moneies and clipped; and did exceed the rate of the mint, by giving for Starling 5s. 3d. per ounce, and 5s. 3d. ½. per ounce, and ſometimes more: by which meanes there was no ſilver brought into the mint for ten years, to ſpeak of, (but the ſilver which came from Wales) to the great damage of the Subject, and benefit of themſelves: this will appeare by the mint-books. And if ſome ſtricter Lawes be not made than are yet in force, if ſilver ſhould not come from Spaine, the Goldſmiths and Caſheers would preſently fall to their old way of culling of the current ſilvermoneys againe. All theſe ſeverall offences are humbly preſented to this high Court to take into their juſt conſiderations, that the ſaid offenders may be found out, and ſome ſtrict Law made to deterre others from practiſing the like for the future.

And this Remonſtrant humbly ſheweth, that in the proſecution of this ſervice, which ſo much concerneth the Common wealth, he hath expended 2000l. as before he hath declared.

His humble prayer is, that if this honourable Houſe ſhall command him to proceede in this ſervice for the Common-wealth, that out of the Fines of the Delinquents, which ſhall be proved to be offenders, he may be reimburſed the ſaid ſeverall ſummes he hath formerly laid out, and damage for his forbearance for his ſervice formerly done about the tranſporters, and ſuch other ſummes as he ſhall expend in the proſecution of this ſervice to bring up witneſſes and other neceſſary expences, out of the Fines of ſuch as he ſhall bring and prove to bee Delinquents.

In projects, as the Wine, Salt, Soape, Tobacco, and many of the like nature, where private men cozen the Common-wealth; yet all theſe offences this Declarant humbly conceiveth, put together, are not of ſo prejudiciall conſequence to the Common-wealth as the tranſporting of Gold and Silver, the culling and melting downe the current Silver money of this Kingdome, the ſelling of Silver and Gold above the price of the Mint: for in Projects one man cozeneth another, but the ſtock remaineth in the Kingdome; but for a man to act any of theſe foreſaid offences, tendeth to the deſtruction of trade, robbing the Kingdome of the treaſure: And to keep the Mint from coyning, is as to let the water out of the Cyſterne, and yet to let none in, and then the ſame will quickly be drawne dry.

It is to be feared, that the induſtry of many ages cannot repleniſh the Kingdome with ſo much Gold as hath been tranſported out of it ſince the firſt yeere of His Majeſties Reigne; for it is an infallible rule, that where Gold and ſilver is over-valued, thither will it be tranſported by merchants and others, for it continually reſorts where it is moſt made of; and if you ſeeke to raiſe it here, the remedy is worſe than the diſeaſe, for then you take from the Gentry, and all ſetled Revenuers, as much of their meanes as you raiſe the current money; for if Gold ſhould be raiſed in England, for example, the 20s. to 26s. as it is in France; either higher or lower; you ſhould buy no more at your market for 26s. than you could before for your 20. and contrariwiſe, if your 20s. were but 14s. you ſhould buy as much for your fourteene ſhillings, as when it paſſed at 20. ſo that whenſoever money is raiſed, the loſſe falleth moſt upon the Nobility and Gentry and certain Revenuers, who loſe ſo much out of their inheritance, which they have let out in leaſe, as mony raiſed.

The Declarant humbly conceiveth, the eaſieſt way to fill the Kingdome with Gold, which it wanteth, is, according to the patterne of the Statutes of 14 Ed. 3. cap. 21. in caſe of tranſporting of woolls, To enjoyne the Merchants Adventurers, Turkey-merchants, and exporters of Corne, Fiſh, or any manner of amunition, or the like; and Merchants that deale in other commodities of the Kingdome with other Countries, to bring into this Realme a proportion of gold upon the returne of the Merchandize: by which meanes the Common-wealth in time may recover this great miſchief under which it ſuffers; and if not ſpeedily ſtopped, there will not be left Coyne to maintaine Trade.

All merchants that trade for Spain, know, that when the Weſt-India fleete commeth not into Spaine, the trade for that yeere is loſt; and no money, no trade. If this be an infallible rule for Spaine, which ſuffers ſo much for the forbearance of bringing in of treaſure for one yeare, and is ſupplied the next out of the Indies, and till their Fleet come home, no dealing with Merchants; This Declarant doth humbly preſent, how much more it doth concerne this Kingdome, which hath no Weſt-Indies to ſupply the Treaſure tranſported, to provide and carefully keepe in the Kingdomes ſtock, which once tranſported, cannot be drawne back, but upon unreaſonable tearmes; which will impoveriſh all the Gentry to an ineſtimable value; and as long as it remaineth out of the Kingdome, all trading and commerce decayeth, the ſubjects are unable to pay Subſidies and other duties, and it is one of the greateſt miſchiefes that can befall the Common-wealth.

And at this preſent in France, the native Merchants there match us with ſuch a point of policy, that it would be hard for our merchants to be maſter of; for ſince the raiſing of our 20s peece to 26s there, this Declarant humbly deſireth it may be taken into conſideration, how they have advanced the price of their commodities according to their advanced moneys, to the full ſumme of 6s in the pound more then they were before: and as for Wines of the growth of France, they are ſo deare, that they coſt the Merchants there above 30 in the hundred, more then they did before Gold was raiſed; and yet our cloth and other commodities are little raiſed there: by which means moſt of the Wines, and Linnen, both cut-work and black bonelace, and other ſuch like commodities in France, are imported into this Kingdome, only in returne of Gold tranſported for France: The like thoſe of Flanders have filled England with Thred, cut-works and Flanders-laces, both Silke and Thred, and many other unneceſſary commodities, which for the moſt part are ſtollen in without paying of cuſtome, and draines the Kingdome of its money both in City and County, moſt of the ſaid commodities being bought in France and Flanders, with the Gold tranſported out of this Kingdome, to the value of many hundred thouſand pounds; moſt of the commodities which have been returned from France and Flanders for our Gold, being utterly uſeles in a thriving Common-wealth. And to give a ſtop to theſe miſchiefs, will require great & ſound deliberation, for coyne is the treaſure of the Kingdome and publique meaſure of all commerce, and the vitall ſpirits of all trade in the Kingdome, and therefore ought tenderly to be preſerved.

It is recorded, that one of the greateſt workes Queene Elizabeth did for this Kingdome, was the reducing of the moneys, when they were embaſed, to Sterling: and doubtleſſe it is as great a benefit to ſettle a Law for the bringing in of gold for exportation of ſome commodities, to repleniſh that loſſe which the Common-wealth hath received by exportation thereof.

All men know that no great deſigne can be done without money, in Common-wealth or Kingdome: which made the French King lately, when the warres were between Spaine and them, to ſet ſuch a rate upon Gold, that they drained all Chriſtendome of gold; and it is beleeved, they doe eſteeme (having moſt of the gold of Chriſtendome in their Kingdome) the poſſeſſion of it to be as good a ſtrength as any amunition they can have; for it makes them capable of any great action. All Merchants, and others, that have been at Paris, know, what great ſummes are taken up there, and in other places of France, by the King, of Bankers and others, for his warres; which is raiſed with that expedition and eaſe as is incredible, but to thoſe that know it; and moſt of the payments paid in gold, which is a great benefit ſaving convoy, one waggon of Gold being as much in value as fifteen in Silver, which, as that Kingdomes buſineſſe ſtands, ſaves much in the portage; and if they had not drawn in our gold, they could not have done thoſe great buſineſſes as they have done; and they found it to be true, that it was one great point of putting the Kingdome into a poſture of defence, by filling it full of treaſure: the conſideration of it, this Remonſtrant humbly leaves to this Houſe.

Now that generall Lawes and Statutes from time to time have provided againſt tranſporting of gold, or melting down the current coyne, and buying ſilver and gold at above the price of the Mint, appeareth by Statutes 9 Ed. 3. both forbidding the tranſporting of the gold of the Kingdome, and the melting down the current ſilver coynes, by Gold-ſmiths or others, into plate.

Stat. 14. Rich. 2. cap. 12 Commiſſions made through the Realme, for to enquire of ſuch as had conveyed the money of England out of the Kingdome, to the prejudice and damage of the King and Realme.

Stat. 17. Ric. 2. cap. 1. There ſhall be no melting of the current money to make any thing, by Gold-ſmiths or others, upon paine of forfeiture.

2 Hen. 4. cap. 4. No perſon to tranſport gold or ſilver, either in coyne or bullion, upon paine of forfeiting as much as they might.

4 Hen. 4. cap. 10. No Gold-ſmith or other perſon to melt downe the current ſilver coynes of the Kingdome, upon paine of forfeiting foure times the value.

9 Hen. 5. cap. 1. All Statutes heretofore made touching the good and lawfull government of Gold and Silver, and not repealed, to be in force.

2 Hen. 6. cap. 6. Upon a grievous complaint made in Parliament, that great ſummes of Gold and Silver were tranſported into Flanders and Burdeaux out of this Kingdome, it was ordered and enacted, that no Gold or Silver ſhould bee tranſported out of the Realm.

And becauſe it is ſuppoſed, that the money of Gold is tranſported by Merchants-aliens, It is ordained, that the Merchants-aliens ſhall finde ſecuritie with ſureties in the Chancery, that they ſhall not tranſport gold or moneys out of the Kingdome, upon paine of forfeiting the ſum or the value; and if any doe contrary, and that duly proved, and he ſo doing be gone over Sea, then his pledges ſhall pay the King his ſaid forfeiture; whereof he that the ſame eſpied, and thereof gave notice to the Treaſurer or the Kings Councell, ſhall have the fourth part.

2 Hen. 6. cap. 12. To the intent that more mony be brought into the Mint, It is ordained, that neither the Maſter of the Mint, nor Changer for the time being, neither ſell nor cauſe to be ſold, nor alien to no other uſe, but apply the ſame wholly to coyne, according to the tenure of the Indenture made betwixt the King, and Maſter of the Mint.

4 Hen. 7. cap. 13. Item, Where in a Parliament begun and holden at Weſtminſter the 16 of January, the 17 of Ed. 4. No perſon to carry Gold or Silver either in Bullion or coyn, nor Jewels of gold, but ſuch perſons as be diſpenſed with by the Statute of Hen. 4. upon paine of felonie, to be heard and determined as other felonie is; the which Statute to endure from the feaſt of Eaſter the 18 of Ed. 4. unto the end of ſeven yeares next enſuing: Since the which 7 yeares expired, the Gold and Silver coyne of this Realme hath and daily is conveyed into Flanders, Normandy, Britany, Ireland, and other parts beyond the Seas, as well by Merchants-ſtrangers as by Deniſons, to the great impoveriſhing of the Realme, and greater is like to be, without remedy thereof haſtily provided. The King our Soveraigne Lord, the premiſes conſidered, by the advice of his Lords Spirituall and Temporall, and the prayers of the Commons in the ſaid Parliament aſſembled, and by the authority of the ſame, have ordained and enacted and eſtabliſhed, That the ſaid Statute made in the 16 yeare of Ed. 4. be and ſtand a Statute good and effectuall, with all the premiſes in the ſame obſerved and kept and put in due execution, from the feaſt of the Purification of our Lady, which ſhall be in the yeare of our Lord 1489. to endure to the end of 20 years next enſuing.

1 Hen. 8. cap. 13. An Act made, that whoſoever ſhall carry any gold or ſilver or jewels out of the Realme, ſhall forfeit double the value, the one halfe to him that ſhall ſeize it, or therefore ſue by action of debt at the Common Law. This Act to endure to the next Parliament.

5 and 6 Ed 6. cap. 19. An act touching the exchange of gold and ſilver, that whoſoever gives more for gold and ſilver then it is or ſhall be declared by the Kings Proclamation, ſhall ſuffer impriſonment by the ſpace of one yeer, and make fine at the Kings pleaſure, the one moity to His Majeſty, the other moity to be to the party that ſeizeth the ſame, or will ſue for it by Bill, Plaint, or Information or otherwiſe.

1. A Proclamation againſt giving for light Gold more then is current, 21o July, 17o Jaci.

2. A Proclamation againſt melting Engliſh money, 18o Maii. 9o Jaci.

3. A Proclamation againſt buying and ſelling Gold and Silver, at higher prices then the Mint, 14o Maii. 10o Jaci.

4. A Proclamation againſt tranſporting of Gold, 23o Maii. 10o Jaci.

5. A Proclamation againſt profit for Gold and Silver, and melting Engliſh money for Plate; Waſte in Gold and Silver, 4o Febi. 19o Jaci.

6. A Proclamation againſt tranſporting Gold and Silver, and melting down the current coynes of the kingdom, 25o Maii. 3o Cari.

From all which Statutes and proviſions it may be gathered, that the current money and Bullion of the kingdome, is the Subjects, only to uſe between man and man, but not to abuſe: for no man by the Law can buy or ſell them by way of Merchandize at higher rates than they are Proclamed; if he do, he is finable by the Law: he that waſheth, clippeth or leſſeneth the current coins, commits treaſon: He that exports the treaſure of the kingdom, either in Bull on or current Coyn, being taken, loſeth them: he that melts downe the current Gold or Silver of the kingdom for plate or other manufactures, commits a forfeiture; and tranſporting of Treaſure hath formerly been made felony, as by the ſeverall Statutes and Lawes to this purpoſe appeareth.

By theſe and divers other Lawes and Statutes, His Majeſties predeceſſors have endevoured the retention and preſervation of the Coine and Treaſures within this Kingdome, but could hitherto never effect it.

And of late, the eaſie eſcape of Delinquents for theſe offences, which have been taken, hath given the boldneſſe to offenders to goe on: and Time, the trueſt Schoolemaſter, hath taught all ages to know, that little penalties could yet never interpoſe betwixt the Merchant and his profit.

FINIS.