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FFOM the beginning of Printing his Maieſties progenitors by their prerogatiue Royall did priuiledge ſuch perſons as they pleaſed ſoly to Print ſome peculiar bookes, leauing the reſt in generall to the Printers.
And for this Art of Printing was the key that opened the doore of knowledge and learning (which is the ho
The lawes of the kingdome authoriſe all perſons, that haue ſerued an Apprentiſhip according to the ſtatute, law
The Maſters obtained a decree 28. Eliz. prohibiting the petitioners to ſet vp any preſſe or preſſes wherewith to print vpon paine of ſixe moneths impriſonment without Bayle or mainpriſe, and his preſſes and other inſtruments to be defaced.
The decree was obtained vnder colour of granting the petitioners diuers bookes in priuiledge to bee printed for their benefit, and diners ordinances for the petitioners continuall and full imployments, and other orders profita
Whereas his Maieſtie was graciouſly pleaſed to grant in priuiledge the printing of diuers bookes vnto the peti
In like maner vnder a falſe pretence of relieuing the poore, they haue obtained almoſt al into their hands, what ei
For they keeping multiplicity of Apprentiſies, (who after their Apprentiſhips, like the Petitioners, become for euer more ſeruile then before) Print Bookes moſt by their Apprentiſes, whereby the Petitioners haue not halfe im
The Stationers to whom theſe priuiledges were neuer intended by his Maieſties moſt Gracious Gift, or the Grant of his Progenitors, are the chiefe Ingroſſers of theſe Priuiledged Coppies, with ſome few Printers. And further, the Stationers by an agreement among themſelues will retale no new Copies, vnleſſe they be of their owne. For be it neuer ſo Religious, Learned, or profitable, if it be a Printers, either by purchaſe, or by free gift, they will not ſell the ſame: but the Printer muſt looſe his labour, his Paper and expence, if he will not ſell them at their rate: by which meanes the Stationer hath all the profit both by Printing and Booke-ſelling.
If the Petitioners infringe any part of the former Decree, or any of their owne Ordinances, or but ſeeme to que
The Decree and their Ordinances barre them all reliefe in any Court of Iuſtice, or any other Court of Equity, but this onely.
The Decree and their Ordinances are abſolutely contrary to the Lawes of this Kingdome, and againſt the Lawes of God and Nations.
The Maſters haue in nothing performed their Contracts made at the obtaining the Decree.
The Petitioners are depriued of that freedome that all other loyall ſubiects inioy, and they ought to haue.
His Maieſties bounty extended to charitable vſes, but is conuerted to their priuate endes and benefits.
That the Decree may be diſſolued.
That the Petitioners may inioy that liberty and priuiledge that euery honeſt and loyall ſubiect ought to inioy.
That they may haue equall ſhare of what his Maieſtie Graciouſly gaue for their charitable vſes.
And ſuch other priuiledges diſtributed amongſt the whole Company as of right belongs, wrongfully by them now vſurped.