THere is no truth now more apparent, then that the tongues and pens of many men; and the Presse have in these latter times been so loose and disordered, as that they have been applied too fre­quently to the scandalizing of procee­dings in Parliament, and the severall Committees, and Members by them imployed, in the transacting of the weighty affaires of the Kingdome, during the times of these late distempers: that so they might bring them into the disaffections of the people. The truth of this [Page 2] is clearely proved by those severall Pamphlets which every day are engendred, and sent abroad into the world: and by the cunning and artifice of severall evill disposed persons, of different tempers, they are made instrumentall for different ends and intentions. And this is perceived by all wise men, so that it is hoped those Libells take no impression with them, in regard of the persons scandalized: And amongst others finding the Committee of the Navy and Customes, as they have had no small part of the care and trou­ble of these weighty affaires, so not to have the least share in those scandalls and reproaches: In discharge of the duty I owe unto the Parliament, who when the King deserted them, were necessitated to undertake the Government of the Navy Royall of this King­dome, for the safety and good thereof, and likewise of the Customes appointed for its maintenance and support, and also in discharge of that particular duty I owe the Committee of the Navy and Customes, and the Gentlemen attending those services, unto whose care and trust both Houses of Parliament committed that great and weighry Charge. And to cleare up the Honour, Care, Prudence, and Fidelity of both Parliament and Committee, against all Traducers, in the advantagious and faithfull discharge of the trust for the weale and safety of the People, and all the three Kingdomes; I thought it not the least part of my duty, (being best acquainted with those affairs) to make this following Declaration of the beginning, progresse, and present State of the same; relating to the Customes and Navy; and by what Rules they have been trans­acted.

[Page 3] In the yeare 1641. shortly after the Parliament first sate, and before the King deserted them, the House of Commons appointed some Gentlemen of that Committee, and recommended to their charge the discovery of the abuses of the then Farmors of the Customes, and the Examination of their Accounts from the first yeare of his Majesties Raigne, unto that time: And notwithstanding the work was conceived by many worthy Gentlemen not to be feazible, yet that Cmmittee within few Months by their report did so satisfie the House of the whole State of that affaire, as it produced 176000. in fines to the use of the state.

This done about the 25. of May 1641. the House of Commons commanded that Committee to frame a Bill for the legall payment of Tonnage and Poundage, to continue for a few weeks, untill some difficulties and misunderstandings between the King and Parlia­ment were removed; and upon the same grounds se­verall other short Acts of Parliament were passed un­till Iuly 1642.

But the burthens upon Merchandize, both forreign and domestick being unequally layd by the old Book of Rates, occasioned severall complaints and Petitions, from Merchants, Cloathiers, Shopkeepers, and others, unto the Parliament, for ease of those burthens; where­upon in the yeare 1641. the House ordered that Com­mittee to frame a new Book of Rates: This proved a work of that travell and consequence in relation to the support of the trade of the Kingdome on the one side, and the Revenue of the Kingdome for support of the Navy, the strength of the Kingdome, on the other side, as it became full of labour and intricacy to keep [Page 4] the Ballance even; for the encrease of the one, and support of the other, of which the very bare disco­very of those Rules which the wisedome of that Com­mittee found out to the due framing of that elaborate work, will sufficiently satisfie the Reader at first view.

• They first divided all Merchandize into Domestick and Forreign.
• Domestick into Commodities totally to be prohibited, or to be transported.
• Transportations into Manufactures of Wooll, and Other Staple Commodities.

The Manufactures of Wooll, in regard of their ge­nerall influence throughout most conditions of men, and hazard of the losse of that Trade in Forraigne parts so much of late undermined by Forraigne ma­nufactures, was much eased of its former imposition.

The other Staple Commodities as Tyn, Lead, &c. not so subject to danger as the others, were raised to some higher Rates, according as the same could well beare.

• The Forraign Commodities were divided into Necessaries. and Superfluities.

Necessaries, and of certain use, as victualls, and all materialls for to encrease the Manufactures of the Kingdome were eased.

Superfluities which might be spared, and were in­centives to Prodigality, either in apparrall, or diet, food, or rayment, had their full load; saving that in [Page 5] the very superfluities they found it necessary to make addifference: As,

• Those of bulk, advantagious in the employment of Shipping and Marriners, in that relation, were somewhat eased.
• Those of small Stowage had a full load laid on them.

Yet in those likewise they made a difference:

• Easing all such as were unmanufactured,
• Burthening the re [...]t.

But the Marchants of the Kingdome not only suffe­ring under the unequall impositions laid on their Commodities, but under the Arbitrary power, and undue Fees of the Officers of the Customes, which oftentimes more oppressed them then the payment of the impositions themselves.

It was not the least labour of that Committee, to dispose of the manner of payment of the duty, and to give such directions therein as by those Rules they delivered the Merchant, from all occasions of op­pression, by the Officer, and yet kept up the Officer in his due esteeme.

In compleating of this great work, the Committee proceeded by a further rule, as well to attaine to the knowledge of the value of all Commodities, as to their usefulnesse, without which, they could not well agree on the duty: And to that end did make use of the labours and judgements of many Merchants of quality, of known integrity, and best experienced in Forraigne Trade, and Importers of the severall Com­modities, who having with much labour laid the foun­dation of this great work; It was also the wisdome [Page 6] of the Committee in so high a trust to take advice from the Retailors, and severall Traders in the re­spective Commodities.

And after divers dayes disputes with them, having made their observations in writing of the differences in opinion between the Importer and Buyer, did referre the whole work together with their own observations, unto the Farmours and Officers of the Customes, who according to their great experience and wisedome, did contribute much unto the compleating thereof: And upon return of their opinions, the Committee finding yet further differences; did after divers dayes spent in conference with the three Parties, viz. the Importer, the Buyer, and the Officer, and upon observations from them all, appoint a generall meeting of the Merchants, Retailors, and Officers, acquainted them with their dif­ferences in opinion, which were reduced to very few, considering the variety and greatnesse of the work: And after a deliberate debate with them joyntly, the Committee did compleat that work; and so pre­sented it to the House of Commons, where it re­ceived a generall approbation with very few amend­ments.

The Book of Rates thus formed, and upon Report made to the House of Commons thereof, being ap­proved and passed without a contradicting voyce, Or­der was given for the same to be printed and published; and an Act of Parliament to be drawn for Tonnage and Poundage, relating to these Rates, which with great de­liberation of that Committee, and advice with the Kings Councell, learned in the Law, was drawn accord­ingly, reported and past both Houses, and sent to [Page 7] the King then at York, for the Royall Assent, which his Majesty refusing, Order was given to that Com­mittee to consider of a way how to continue the pay­ment of Tonnage and Poundage by an Ordnance which they did accordingly, which upon Report passed both Houses: Here arose the great difficulty of managing the affaires of the Customes, which by Ordnance of Parli­ament was committed to the charge of that Commit­tee, wherein power was given them to remove and place all Officers belonging to the Customes, to give Orders and Directions to the Commissioners of the Customes as occasion should serve: To heare and decide all differences happening between the Merchants and Offi­cers in reference to the Customes; and by their Or­ders to dispose of all moneys arising on the Customes, for the use of the Navie.

An imployment of great weight and as great trust, and which they discharged with as much faithfulnesse, wisedome, and advantage to the State, the distractions of the times, the disaffections of many Merchants, and the want of a penalty to enjoyn the payment, conside­red, as ever that affaire was managed sithence the Conquest; which doth manifestly appeare by their saving upward of twelve thousand pound per Annum, in the very charge of the Commissioners; and reduced unnecessary Officers, formerly employed in the manag­ing of those affaires, and yet encreased that Revenue at least one third per Annum, in those Ports which were still under the obedience of Parliament, besides the re­ceits of those Out-Ports that were regained from the Enemy.

The distractions of the Kingdome encreasing after [Page 8] the Kings deserting the Parliament: It pleased both Houses by Ordinance in August 1642. to commit the charge of the Navy, and setting forth the yearly Fleets to Sea for the defence of the three Kingdomes, unto the care of that Committee of the Customes, and so they became the Committee of the Navy and Customes: By which Ordinance they had power to order the payments of moneys arising from the Customes to the Treasurer of the Navy, who was a member of that Committee, for the carrying on of that work: And the moneys being so setled in his hands, they were all to be issued out by him, by the only Order of that Committee; which Trust I dare con­fidently affirm he hath discharged with as much clear­nesse and freedome from any corruption as ever Trea­surer did. And to satisfie the world that this trust was faithfully discharged by that Committee, I will here give a short account of the severall Fleets set to Sea, with their strength and charge.

Besides, there have severall years been set out severall Ships, by private Adventurers by way of reprizall, which have been allowed victuals by the State.

In all which Expeditions, these particular actions of that Committee are remarkable.

1. That being furnished with this great power and trust, in setting forth of Ships, providing of materials and payment of moneys, they took along with them the concurrent advice and full consent of the Com­missioners of the Navy, Victulars of the Navy, Of­ficers of the Ordnance, and all other Officers of the Navy respectively, as fellow servants trusted with them, who by the order and directions of that Commit­tee, did with all chearefulnesse and faithfulnesse, for any thing that ever appeared unto that Committee, act and execute all things for the greatest advantage of the State, in relation to the honour, safety, and pro­fit thereof.

2. That with their concurrent advice and help, the se­verall Yards, & Store-houses of the Navy Royal, were so plentifully & seasonably maintained with Pitch, Tarre, Hemp, Cordage, Planck, Timber, and all other materi­als for shipping: And the Office of Ordnance so fur­nished with Ordnance, Powder, Shott, & other Gunners [Page 11] Stoares, The victualling Office so carefully and advan­tagiously managed, as that there was not one ship of all these severall Fleets, but at her setting to Sea was compleatly and Arithmetically furnished with double Equipage, of Cordage, Sayles, &c. with due proportion of Powder, Match, Bullett, according to the Number and dimensions of her Ordnance: and with Beef, Pork, Fish, Pease, Butter, Cheese, Bread, Beere, and all o­ther victuals, and all of the choysest and best, as there was never complaint made to the Parliament or Com­mittee of any defect of any of these, either for quan­tity or quality.

3. That comming in of ships, (saving in the time of the late Commissioners of the Customes, who for some reasons best known to themselves, did refuse upon pressing occasions to furnish the Parlia­ment or that Committee with money or credit:) The Committee took that care for providing of moneys, (many times with their credit) as the Marriners were so timely paid off, that the State was not at the charge of one dayes dead pay, neither was ever complaint of Marriners hard at the doores of the Par­liament, since the time of these Commissioners.

4. That the whole body of the Navy was kept up, in that honour, strength, and readinesse for service, as no age can parallel, there being at this present an increase of above thirty ships and Frigats more then they found belonging to the Navy Royall, whereof some have been taken by reprizall, some bought for money, and some built from the stocks, which are most active nimble Vessels, all now in service.

5. That this great work was so advantagiously car­ried on, as notwithstanding the State was sometime [Page 12] above three hundred thousand pounds in debt, an [...] atpresent about two hundred and fifty thousand pound [...] yet hitherto (saving in the time before mentioned) there never wanted monies to carry through all the difficulties of that service.

Neither was the managing of the Customes and of the Navy, though two such great workes, the only imployment of that Committee: But in the yeare 1643. the Parliament having by reason of the great fleetes contracted great debts on the Navy, were plea­sed to put an Excise on Flesh and Salt, the profits whereof they appropriated to the use of the Navy, and committed the charge and care thereof to that Committee, by whose wisedome and care, with the concurrence of the Commissioners of Excise, only by changing the manner of the collection, the yearly income was encreased from about seven or eight thou­sand pound, unto near sixty thousand pound per Ann. as by the Commissioners of Excize Accounts will ap­peare; All which monies were disposed of by that Committee by the same Rule of Customes. Besides, there are severall Gentlemen of this Committee who being with divers honourable Lords, appointed a Committee for the Excize, have transacted very great matters concerning the regulating of those Receipts, and reconciling of differences happening in the same. There was a further charge lay on that Committee, which was the managing of the ships, and goods ta­ken by reprizall, which begot not the least trouble to the Committee, in regard of the many intricare cases, which fell out, scarce numerable, in so short a Narrative, yet was that distracted work with the faith­fullnesse, care, and [...] of the Commissioners [Page 13] and Collectors appointed for reprizall goods, car­ried on with all advantage as was possible for so un­happy a work to bee managed, which proved much the more troublesome and intricate, (though the cheifest part of that trouble fell to the Collectors) by reason owners of Merchants ships and all mari­ners had shares in all prizes and prize goods taken; And this is here remarkable, that there is not an owner of shipping, nor mariner in the Kingdome that can justly complaine, but that he hath received his full payment of all advantages which have been made in this kind, saving in some cases of late, only for want of a Iudge of the Admiralty to adjudge the same.

Beyond all this, It is observeable, that in the first yeare of these unhappy distractions, six of the Com­mittee of the Navy with three honourable Lords, did discharge the office of the Lord high Admirall, and of the Judge of the Admiralty: and with unex­pressible trouble and care, without the help of the Admiralty Court, the Iudge having deserted it, did by the order of the Parliament, wade through those in­tricare cases which fell out that first yeare. Besides this, severall worthy Gentlemen of that Committee, have for divers years since, together with divers ho­nourable Lords, for want of a Lord High Admirall, by command of both Houses, carried on the whole frame of the affaires of the Admiralty and Cinque-ports. There lay yet a further charge on divers Gentlemen of that Committee, in regard of those relations which that Committee had unto all Sea affaires and to trade: It pleased the Parliament to joyne them with divers honourable Lords as a Committee of forreign affaires, [Page 14] who by reason of the variety of complaints, which came from the severall Ambassadors of Spaine, France, the States, and orhers, of the ships and goods of their Masters subjects to be taken in reprizall, by ships im­ployed by the Parliament, were often incumbred with many intricate points of State; And it was no or­dinary service which those noble Lords and the rest of that Committee, laboured under to defend the just rights of the Parliament, upon those severall Emergencies which fell out, in speciall, between the Ambassadors of the States; And this Committee, who after three Moneths debate, did maintaine the Actions of the Parliament as warrantable, by Treaties of State, and by Law of Nature, and Nations; As by a Declaration sent unto the States from both Hou­ses of Parliament, most clearely appeareth▪ and this Committee held constant weekly intelligence with the Parliaments Agents imployed in France, Flanders, and Holland, for the obtaining of Justice for those Mer­chants, who were agrieved by the taking or seazure of their ships or goods, or otherwise.

There was another burthen lay on that Committee, which was the managing of that most Christian and honourable work for the Redemption of the poore Captives from their slavery under the Turke, who with the help and unwearied paines of divers wor­thy Merchants of the City of London, did with all advantage carry on that work, which will bee me­morable to Posterity: The care of the money col­lected for those uses, and the imployment of them being trusted by the Parliament, with that Com­mittee, and that trust with all faithfullnesse dischar­ged, so as had not that sad accident happened on [Page 15] the Ship Honour in the losse of the first Cargason at Gilbraltar, (which much increased the trouble of that Committee, and those Gentlemen) the work had well neare been finished; yet blessed be God, two hundred and fifty Captives are redeemed and brought home, Ten thousand pounds sterling more in peeces of Eight sent away for Argier, and another Cargason of the like value ready to be sent upon the first intelligence from the Agent at Argier: And care is taken for the redemption of those in Tunnis, Sal­ly, Saphia, and all south Barbary. Besides all those publick and weighty imployments of that Commit­tee, uncessant were their labours in particular busi­nesses referred unto them by the House of Commons: As the recovery in of the monyes due on the bonds delivered in by the Farmours taken for Customes in the time of the late Act of Parliament: preparing Ordinances for the advancement of the Trade of se­verall Companys of Merchants trading into for­reign parts, with limited Rules and Restrictions; composing of differences upon severall occasions be­tween Merchants and Officers of the Customes; and examining, and stating that intricate affaire of the Vintners, which subjected them to just Fines; and ma­ny other businesses of great weight and intricacy, and were with all cheerefullnesse and faithfullnesse transacted to cleare up the Honour and Iustice of the Parliament: and that without the use of any Ar­bitrary power, but in all cases which they found pro­per to receive their Tryalls in any Courts of Iustice, were carefull to referr such causes to their proper Courts.

But the whole former Narrative may bee true, yet the Honour of the Parliament, or of the Committee [Page 16] of the Navy no way cleared, but rather stands the more deeply charged: For it doth appeare by severall passa­ges in the Narrative, That the Committee of the Navy have executed the power and trust of two great Officers of State; as in the first yeare of these unna­turall Distempers, being 1642, the Office of the Lord High Admirall: and from that very yeare to this day the greatest part of the office and trust of the Lord Treasurert; These had the power of disposing multitudes of offices, the one In the Navy, the other in the Customes; besides great fees and other per­quisites of profit and great advantage; yet the pow­er of the Committee rested not here, but the Nar­rative setts forth divers other imployments of trust, whereby great advantages have bin very probably made by that Committee or some private Gentlemen, as the preferment of persons to Offices, and those un­worthy or not qualified for such Offices, and men of more merit, sufferings and abilities laid by, which doth lay a great blemish on the honour of the Par­liament, to imploy their own Members in such great places of trust and advantage; And this is visible to all men, that the Chaireman of that Committee, had five hundred pounds per annum, allowed him, besides all his other great advantages, or otherwise neither he nor some others of that Committee would ever have followed the affaires of that Committee, with that zeale and paines early and late, that scarce a Trades-man in the City, or husband-man in the Countrey tooke the like: so that he was thereby brought to such weaknesse at three times, he was at the very gates of death by sedentary diseases.

Vnto all which it is necessary to give this further account that as to my own particular, I do here in the [Page 17] presence of the Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, and the righteous Iudge as well of all mens intentions, as of their Actions, protest; That next that duty I owe unto God, who hath called me to this imployment, and to the Parliament, who hath intrusted mee with the same, and to my Coun­try, for whose sake and preservation I was sent hither, all irresistable motives to an Ingenious and consci­onable Christian, to make me account no labour too great, nor care too much, to be any way instrumen­tall in so great and glorious a work as the Reformati­on in Church and State, being the main end of the Endeavours of the Parliament; I say next the duty I owed to those former relations, I was impatiently studious (with the help, wisedome, and care of that Committee) to manage those great workes with that advantage to the Common-wealth, and with that clearenesse from all private ends, as that on the one side the King, on the other side the people, might be in love with Parliaments; the King that he might see the grear difference in the managing of the af­faires of State, between the Councells of the Par­liament, and his old Councellours, of whom he was so fond, and by most of whom he was so grosly de­ceived, and the State abused; on the other side, that the people might see their happinesse under the Go­vernment of a King directed by the Councell of Par­liament, in receiving redresse of their grievances, re­leise in their wants, due and speedy justice with all cleerenesse, and without consumption of their time, by long attendance, or of their estates by needlesse and forced expences. And as to the five hundred pound allowed mee by the Parliament, towards the defraying of my expences, having my whole estate then under [Page 18] the power of the Enemy for above three yeares; I acknowledge it a great mercy from God, and a great favour in the Parliament, to provide so liberally for me: yer I doe professe that those monies have not supplied my necessities, but before the Quarters have come about, I have been forced to borrow mony of my children or servants, for to defray my ordinary disbursements; yet have I not bin profuse either in ap­parrell or dyet, but have lived in a far lesse plenty then before I came to attend the service of the Parliament.

And as to the disposing of those severall Of­fices, either in the Navy or Customes; I doe make this Answer, that it is true, that many hundreds of persons most of them destroyed in their Estates by these civill warrs, had their Petitions ly before that Committee for preferments unto office; and that Committee did accordingly dispose of very many as they fell, wherein they used all possible care that the persons they preferred should be qualified for the imployment, men that had suffered in their Estates, and recommended for their integrities; And to my best remembrance they never preferred any but upon the speciall recommendation and certificate of the Members of one or both Houses or Parliament: All which offices were by that Committee conferred with so much care and clearnesse, as what ever was the former practice of officers of State, in disposing of them for money, a thing too apparent, and too great a blemish to those times: yet I doe with all confi­dence affirme, that neither my selfe, nor any Gen­tleman of that Committee ever received one penny for any such preferment; And that Committee in this point have been so exact and tender, in regard of the Scandall that might arise to the Parliament, [Page 19] by sale of Offices, as that they have from time to time taken strict Account of the Clerks attending that Com­mittee, what advantages they made by the disposing of such Offices; And it appeares by their Accounts duly kept, they have gotten between them all for Orders, Warrants, and Grants for Offices, not full thitty five pound, whereof neare forty places have been Customers, Comp­troulers, and Searchers in the Custome house, all pla­ces of repute and profit,

And as to the profits which did arise the first year, for the Admirall tenths, and were alwayes by him carefully taken and converted to his private use. I do confesse there were Prizses taken that year which amounted unto twenty two thousand pound or thereabouts, whereof two thou­sand two hundred pound accrued to the tenths, but that neither out of the tenths, nor any other profits whatsoever, I never received one farthing, but all the profits were faith­fully converted by that Committee to the use of the State.

As to the Office of the L. Treasurer in the disposing of moneys, the last particular, and wherein satisfaction may more especially be expected, of what advantages have been made by the moneys arising by those three springs, or other­wise appropriate to the disposall of this Committee.

To which I say, That as in the case of Offices, so in this also, the Committee have commanded their Clerks to give an account of what hath been given them for the Orders signed for moneys; and it appeares, it hath not been communibus annis, fifty pounds per Annum unto each; yet in Orders, Letters, &c. twenty Reames of Paper at least, have yearly been written, besides the Journals of the Committee, which are with all faithfulnesse and care pre­served for the use of the Parliament.

And to satisfie the World of my own integrity, I do so­lemnly professe, as in the presence of God, at whose Tri­bunall, I must give an account for all my Actions before all Men and Angels; that for the appointing of all those moneys disposed of by that Committee, I never received, nor any other to my knowledge for my use, any Summe or Summes of money, not the value of a penny from any person or persons whatsoever as a Fee, Bribe, Reward, or what other name you may give it; but the same hath in every part been faithfully conveyed from the Treasury of the State to the hands of the subject with­out any advantage made upon them, saving that there [Page 21] was about foure yeares since, three pounds sent unto me from a Captaine at Sea for a Beaver hat, which mony I gave freely away, and was disposed to my best remembrance thirty shillings to the distressed prote­stants which came from Ireland, the other moity to maymed Souldiers in the Parliaments service:) Nor have I ever received any Sume or Sums for any other affai [...]s of Parliament whatsoever transacted by that Committee All provocations tending there unto I have avoyded, and declined, I abhorre and from my soule detest the very thought of such proceedings: It is so farr below a Gentleman and a Member of the high Court of Par­liament. If any man can justly charge me with any such matter, there is a Committee appointed by the House of Commons for examination of such matters, where he may complaine: and I will give him fouresold re­parations; Or further, if any man can make it evident, that he hath given any thing as a reward, gratuity, or such like to my wife, any child, servant, or any other for my use, I will make him reparation to the full value.

And for any Gentleman, or other person, that hath at any time by way of civility brought or sent me any thing whatsoever, which yet among men is lawfull, and may have in it no dishonest intentions either in the giver or receiver; I doe hereby invite and desire him to let me know the value of the same, and I will wil­lingly satisfie him for it: And what I have here asserted on my own behalfe, I am confident I may with much freedome assert on the behalfe of those worthy Gentle­men of the Committee, who constantly attended those Services.

[Page 22] And now I have done, and by this I hope have [...] all modest Christians, and stopped the mouth [...] slander: whereby I trust I have discharged my first [...] gagement, in clearing up the honour of the Parliam [...] and of the Committee of the Navy and Customes, [...] their faithfull transacting of all the affaires [...] to their trust and charge: that they have been [...] not with any base or private ends or advantages, [...] with publick spirits to the honour of the Parlia [...] good of the people, advantage and safety of the [...] ­dom.