THE HVMBLE MANIFEST OF Sir JOB HARBY Knight. IN April. 1650.

LONDON, Printed in the year. 1650

The manifest of Sir Job Harby Knight, unto all persons, of Honour, who are piously inclined to hear, and Commiserate the oppressed, and especially unto those patient Creditors, who did formerly lend their monies, upon the security of Sir Abra­ham Dawes, Sir John Jacob, Sir Nicholas Crispe, Sir John Nulls, and himself; when he, was unfortunately, made one of the farmers of the customes for three years, and did enjoy them onely two of the said three yeers, they being forced to re­linquish the third year before they had paid back those monies, which were taken up at interest for that service, and for the payment of their fine to the Parliament.

THe publisher of this ensuing remonstrance, doth desire, that it may not seem impertinent, nor displeasing unto any of you, that one of your debitors doth take the boldnes to declare, that he did not come into the customs, with any si­nister intent, nor with the least inclination, to defraud you nor any of you, but with a constant resolution, to deal justly with you, & with al men; nor did he foresee [Page 2] such a sudden ruin, to fall upon him, for his receiving those Customs two years, which himself, as a merchant had paid for 40 years be­fore; Neither did he after the disaster was unexpectedly faln upon him, come to prison (as some persons have most unworthily di­vulged) to deceive you or any of you; But did go on paying, as long, as he was able, his full share of such monies as were called in; even to the value, of above thirty thousand pounds, as will appear by the sequell of this (to me) sad story; being out of purse for the said two years Farms, above eight thousand pounds, more then any of his afore named partners, and that before he submitted his person to imprisonment, which was in November 1646. when he could no longer enjoy his liberty, unlesse he would have dishonestly layd a debt of one thousand pounds with interest upon his friends that bayled him; for at that very time, when the Execution was laid upon him singly by Master Squire deceased (being done with the privity; and (as he believeth) at the instance of Sir John Nulls; he sent some friends unto the said Sir John Nulls, and unto Sir John Jacob, to intreat each of them to pay one third part of the debt, those friends offering to pay the other third part for discharge of the said execution: the said Sir John Jacob, and Sir John Nulls, did both of them positively refuse the same, although they knew, there was then due unto me from that very accompt above 8000 pounds all the debts satisfied; The narrative of which their unjust proceeding with me, I had then prepared with intent to publish the same, But that I was by some friends disswaded, who did rationally advise me rather to suffer for a season, then to fall out amongst our selves, be­fore we had obteined relief for the great debt of three hundred thousand and odd pounds, owing unto Sir Paul Pynder and us, by the late King; for these considerations, and being disabled to reco­ver any part of mine own means, I have endured imprisonment three years and a half, with asmuch hardship scandall, and disgrace, as if the debt had been properly mine own; But now that the great­est part of my estate is consumed for the payment of other mens debts; And that I daily undergo suits, and reproaches, and (which is worst of all) am continually slandered, as one that deteyneth those effects which should satisfie you, I say, having hitherto smothered my grief, and even wearied out mine own patience, finding no re­lief as yet from those above us, neither justice nor equity amongst my said parners; and being, in all probability at the brinck of my grave, aged above 70 years; I have thought it requisite for [Page 3] the vindication of mine own integrity; for the discovering unto you that are Creditors; upon whom you may justly, and securely lay your debts; and for the instructing my wife and posterity, what is become of my estate, and whom to pursue for the same, when I shall be no more; I have, I say, thought upon this expedient in my plain manner to publish the truth in print; rather then by Commen­cing a suite in Law to protract your satisfaction, and to bring my self to a morsell of bread.

And that you may not conceive that this discourse of mine is un­dertaken rashly, or groundlesly, I must crave leave, to acquaint you, that I have used all the friendly means I could think upon, for the continuance of a right understanding twixt my sad parners and my self, yea beseeching them (as if I should have begged for life) to finish the accompts amongst themselves; or to permit some un­concerned knowing persons to examine them, to the end we might equally and justly joyn together, and proportionally satisfie you that are Creditors to the uttermost of our Abilities; And to this pur­pose I have solicited them, not so few as one hundred times; by word of mouth, by letters, by friends, by strangers, yea even by some of your selves; And at last by declaring unto them, that I might not (without robbing my self and posterity) forbear them any longer. But all in vain, nothing will prevail; they are in pos­session, And it seems fully bent totally to ruin me and my family, and to give a mortall wound unto my reputation, which is as dear unto me as my life; I am farther to beg your patience, to read the historicall parts of the most materiall passages of our engagements in this (to me) fatall Custome businesses, as they stand in the re­gister book, and in severall accompts, drawn up by the secretary, book-keepers, and accomptants, some of them having near relation to the Treasurer, Sir John Nulls; who is and hath been the chief cause you have not been satisfied long since, as you will discern very plainly by the sequell. For the more clear demonstration, that what I affirm is really and punctually true; I beseech you observe and weigh, these following particulars.

1. To invite and intice me to joyn in taking the Customes, there was an instrument in writing, brought to me, signed by those who made the contract for the farms, with the late King, (and the Lord Treasurer) wherein I was named to be the Treasurer, which place if I had supplyed; there had not been at this day one penny owing [Page 4] to any of you; for assoon as the farms were setled upon us, and that I had advanced twenty thousand eight hundred & odd pounds in ready money for 7 ½ shares of the said farms, and that the deeds of partnership were signed and sealed, the Lord Goring, who was the chief undertaker, and had eight shares of the said farmes, addressed himself unto me, to assist him with greater sums of money, then I was willing to stand engaged for: when I did plainly and positively refuse him; conceiving that the payment of mine own shares, and the finding money for the Credible performance of the joynt ser­vice, would be work sufficient for such a Treasurer, as intended to deal safely for himself, and justly with all men, that should lend their moneys; The said Lord Goring taking ill my refusal, seeks a­mongst us for one to serve his turn, and at last prevailed with Mr. Nulls (now Sir John) to promise the said Lord his assistance, con­ditionally to make him treasurer, which the L. Goring did perform, & did put me from that very place which first induced me to med­dle with the Farmes: and this was effected the third day of Novem. 1638 at the Lord Gorings house in Tower-street; At which time, if I could have had my twenty thousand pounds again, & have bin disengaged, I had withdrawn my self and bin freed of the great pressures I have since undergone, but God had nor so appointed; (I was caught for want of judgment, or foresight) and therefore was author of mine own wo: The said Master Nulls (now sir John) be­ing so chosen treasurer, and 500. li per ann. allowed him for his intended good service, he being to give security for ten thousand pounds, to keep exact accompts, & deliver them unto the Farmers at all times upon demand; and to pay no considerable sums of mo­ney, but by order and direction of the said Farmers, or three or more of them; the very same day were the receipts divided; and the Lord Goring was to have the subsidy of Tobacco, and impost of Currants in London, and the Out ports, &c. The treasurer im­mediately after, began to lay about him, and under colour of being provided of money for the joynt service, he taketh up at interest all the money he could Compasse, that is to say, thirty thousand pounds more then there was any joynt occasion to use, and did make particular use thereof for the reimbursing himself of what money he had formerly lent the Lord Goring for his own si­nister end as a [...]oresaid; breaking the trust reposed in him, and len­ding it without my knowledge, and for ought I could ever disco­ver [Page 5] without any sufficient warrant; since I am sure he cannot shew my hand to any such warrant, though my share was the greatest next unto the Lord Gorings; neither was there left any latitude in our articles of agreement to lend any money at al, much less such vast sums, unto a noble man of a fortune so perplexed, as his Lord­ship was understood to be at that time; the orders themselves speaking no such language as you may discern by the copie of them drawn out of the Register Book kept by him that was secretary to the Farmers, the originall, (by Gods providence) is now in my possession, and ready to be shewed unto any person that shal desire to be satisfied in that particular, the dates of the said orders, and the expressions do follow verbatim.

18. December 1638.
At the meeting at Sir Job Harbies House.
Present all the Farmers.

IT is ordered, that every particular receiver shall produce a par­ticular of the state of his accompt, and of the money remaining in cash and bonds, taken once every Month in London and the Out-ports, and that his Cash-Book, and bonds shall be ready upon all occasions for the Treasurer or any of the Farmers to oversee: And that every particular receiver, shal pay what shal so remain in cash to the Treasurer, within four dayes after the Treasurer shal call for the same.

That all and every the Farmers shall see the Books of the Trea­surer, aswell for his Cash, as for any thing else that shall concern the service.

That in case any of the receivers shall fail to make payment of such money remaining in his hands within four dayes aforesaid; and shall not pay the same within four dayes more next after; that then upon notice given (of such default made) by the trea­surer to the other Farmers: it is ordered, that the other Farmers shall sequester the receipt of such failing receiver from him: And the said receipt shalbe disposed of as shall be thought good by the [Page 6] other Farmers or the Major part of them, then resident; at the Custom-House or City.

And the Treasurer, is likewise ordered that at the same time of his calling for money from the receipt [...], he shall generally and equally call for the same from all the receipts without Ex­ception.

And it is further ordered that the money being so brought in to the Treasurer, that he shall pay proportionally to every one of the Farmers, as to himself, an equall and proportionable part of their advanced money, untill the sum of one hundred thousand pounds being repaid to them; which sum they have advanced to his Ma­jesty, &c. Which was the substance of what passed at that meeting

Another meeting, Ʋndecimo Aprilis 1639.
At Master Burlamachis.

It is orderd, that the severall receivers shall deliver in to the Treasurer, at the end of every quarter a particular note of his re­ceipts, his several payments made in that quarter, And the severall debts made in their receipts, and the persons from whom they are due, that every such receiver may clear with the, Treasurer, and per­fect his account. And if any receiver under any of the Farmers shall give credit to any considerable sum, without the consent of the Farmers, or three or more of them, in whose receipt it falls, shall be answerable for the same.

Another meeting, 27 Die Junii 1639.

It is this day agreed between the Lord Goring on the one part, and the other Farmers of his Majesties Customes on the other part, that the Lord Goring shall Farm the whole Subsidie and Custome of the Tobacco in the Port of Loddon, and out-ports for three years from Christmas last 1638 for which the Lord Goring is to pay yearly during the said term to the other Far­mers, the sum of nineteen thousand pounds, whiih rent of 19000. li is to be paid as it is now received and paid by Master Thomas Nevet, by ready money and security taken.

Another meeting, The second July. 1639.

It is ordered that there shall be a draught presently made of an assignment of the subsidy & customs of Tobacco's from the other Farmers to the Lord Goring, at above said rent of nineteen thousand pounds per annum, which rent is to be payd quarterly by even and equall portions by the said Lord Goring, &c.

Ʋicesimo quarto die July 1639. Ordered a Warrant after.

Another meeting, present

• Sir Abraham Dawes. , • Sir John Jacob. , • Mr. Crispe. , and • Mr. Nulls. 

Mr. Nulls,

VVHereas it is this day ordered by the farmers, that the sum of ten thousand six hundred and seventeen pounds four­teen shillings and six pence, remaining in cash your hands shall be divided among them upon accompt, viz. to the Lord Goring the sum of seaven hundred ninety nine pounds, seventeen shillings and seven pence, to Sir Abraham Dawes for himself, and the assign­ment from the Lord Goring, two thousand one hundred thirty nine pounds two shillings and five pence; to Sir John Jacob for himself, and the assignment from the Lord Goring, two thousand three hun­dred sixty nine pounds nineteen shillings; to Sir Job Harby the sum of two thousand two hundred and twelve pounds and two pence; to Master Crispe the sum of nineteen hundred and seventeen pounds and two pence, And to Master Nulls the sum of eleven hundred seventy nine pounds fifteen shillings & two pence, which severall sums we pray you to pay, to every Farmer accordingly: for which this order together with their severall acquittances shall be, your discharge.

Another meeting, being the last which was en­tred into the Register-Book.

The 15 October 1639. At Mr. Burlamachis House, all the Farmers present.

WHereas the Lord Goring offered nineteene thousand pounds, yearly for the Custome of Tobacco: It is now agreed between all the Farmers, that the L. Goring shall have the same for eighteen thousand pounds per annum, some reasons being alledged for the abatement; and Mr. Nulls is to be the Lord Gorings security by the consent and approbation of all the Farmers, and is to have all the Lord Gorings receipts of Custom and Impost of Tobacco, as also of Currants.

AFter this order no register was kept of any more meetings, all indeed being done without order, and without Consci­ence; for the then Sir John Nulls the Treasurer, being also collectour for the Northern Ports, wherin Dover was comprehended, and having griped the Lord Gorings collections of Tobacco, and Impost of Currants into his own hands, he continued reimbursing him­self of what he had unwarrantably lent as aforesaid to the said Lord Goring, and connived with Sir Abraham Dawes, & Sir John Jacob to receive the sum of nine thousand pounds between them in ready money, as part of the Lord Gorings supposed profits; whereas he best knew, there were no profits at all, the said profits being swallowed up, in debts resting still unpayd, and the greatest part of the said bad debts being by himself made; witnesse his keeping the Tobacco in kinde, also divers bonds for subsidie of Tobacco to the value of seven thousand three hundred pounds, and his placing to accompt, that exorbitant, unjust, unwarrantable parcell of twenty three thousand four hundred pounds lent at interest, which sum of money was double asmuch, as all the supposed profits belonging to the Lord Goring for his eight shares could amount unto, moreover he wink­ed at Sir Nicholas Crispe to keep ready money in his hands to the value of nine thousand pounds, and also took unto himself six [Page 9] thousand pounds likewise in ready money, whereas if he had per­formed his trust faithfully, as he was obliged under his hand and seal so to do, he should have given a proportionable share of ready money, and a proportionable part of debts unto each Farmer accor­ding to his share, and not all the ready money to himself, and his confederates; and to leave me who (at the first) had advanced the greatest share of the ready money (almost) nothing but bad debts, keeping those very debts also in his own possession: onely when this contrivance was made between them for a division, they per­ceiving, I had not in good and bad debts so much by two thousand and odd hundred pounds in my hands, as to make my division e­quall with theirs, they caused Sir John Jacob to give me a slight note of his hand for 2212. li 4. s 6. d instead of so much ready money, which should have been payd me the 30 of Septem. 1641 from which very day there was due unto me, as so much ready mo­ney short of my division the full sum of seven thousand two hun­dred and twelve pounds four shillings and six pence, with interest for the same ever since, whereof I could never procure one peny in payment from the said Sir John Jacob, nor from the Treasurer, Sir John Nulls, notwithstanding all the reasons I could give, nor all the solicitations I could make; All I could possibly effect, three years after, when Sir Abraham Dawes was dead, and Sir Nicholas Crispe was gone, was to obtain a warrant from Sir John Jacob, Sir John Nulls, and my self unto Burlamachis, to Calandrini, and other accomptants, to peruse all the books, and to examine and set­tle the said accompts according to their best skill and understand­ing, and to report the same unto us with, what expedition they could, which they performed in the year 1644. and made the re­port thereof under their hands in manner and form following, the Copy of which accompt is here set down verbatim.

Mr. Burlemachi,

WE are resolved for several Reasons us thereunton moving, to have the Books of the Great and Petty Farmes for the years 1639 and 1640 Audited, and have appoin­ted Mr. Richard Mountney, and Mr. Thomas Murthwaite to take it in hand with all conveni­ent speed; These are therefore to desire you to give them, or either of them, free access unto the said Books and all other Papers, accounts, and particulars belonging to the said Farmes, and for so doing this shall be your Warrant; This 22. of May 1644. And that you or Calen­drini be assisting to them, and do order or cer­tifie what shall be amisse, and deliver under all your hands how every thing doth stand,

J. Jacob.
Job Harby.
John Nulls.
Right worshipfull,

IN pursuance of your order of the 22 of May 1644. We have drawn up the ac­compts of the Farmes Anno 1639 and 1640 wherin we have (by what we could gather out of the Books & writings pro­duced unto us) set down the true state of those accompts to the 30 of July 1644. As by the said accompt hereunto annexed may appear. In the first place is drawen out the Generall accompt of the Great and Petty Farmes, both for the charge thereof, and the profits accruing thereby, next an abstract of his Maje­sties accompt, and the accompt of the severall Farmors in­terressed therein; And lastly an accompt or Ballance what is owing either to any of the Farmors for the foot of their accompts, or at interst to other men, in al amounting to the sum of 49670 l 3.s 11. d with the accompt of the debts owing by several men for satisfaction of the said sum. Up­on all which accompts you may please to take notice that there is entered de Bene esse for the better stating thereof 2986.l 15.s 10.d for three parcels on the Lord Gorings accompt of Tobacco, and 150. li demanded by Sir John Ja­cob for charges, as by the generall acompt in Folio 1. ap­peareth, Also there is past to the credit of Sir Job Harby 4559 li 17 s 6.d for debt in his hands according to parti­culars now produced, which in former calculations we finde was set down but at 1596. li 14.s Moreover we are informed that there hath been severall Grograines recei­ved by Sir Job Harby and Sir John Nulls, of Mr. Edward Ab­bott in part of his debt, for wch they are to give an accompt; All which we humbly leave to your considerations,

Ph. Burlemachi
Ri. Mountney
Tho. Murthwaite
P. Calendrini
Gentlemen,

AS I take it this is the first time, that (after pro­mise) I did ever misse to wait upon you, for the settlement of this accompt for the two years Farms; And were it not that my attendance before a Committee in Parliament, doth now hinder me, I should instead of these lines, have been personally with you. Although I must confesse, such is my apprehension, that all our meetings, yea, and our pursuite for satisfaction of the great debt Owing unto us, will be to very little purpose, unlesse we either come resolved to do as we would be done unto; Or else admit of some unconcerned knowing persons to decide matters in diffe­rence between us: and indeed how can we expect to have justice done unto us upon our petitions, so long as we are not enclined to deal equally and justly one with another. For my part I am sensible, and the course of nature teacheth me, that it will not be long, before I must render accompt of my stewardship, even unto the great Judge of all the world; Before whom I do now professe, that I would not willingly wrong the general ac­compts amongst us, nor any of you in particular, no not, if by my so doing I might gain all your estates; In pursuance whereof I affirm, that if by errour or mistake, I have claimed any thing, or shall demand that which doth not justly belong unto me; Let it be made apparent wherein any such omission or mistake of mine is, or may be; and it shall be rectified instantly to the utter most farthing, both of principal and interest, yea, though I should be a loser thereby. It is not meeting by our selves alone, nor Contestations about Punctillo's, or Circumstances, that will make a just end of our accompts, no nor ever settle any peace amongst us; such proceedings will rather make the breach wider; We have had words more then enough already, and all to no purpose; It is [Page 27] action must do our work, that is, to set down justly in writing the true state of this accompts, which may most easily be effected in a few dayes, nay in a few hours, by the Treasurer, and by him that kept the book of accompts; and have had sufficient sallary for their pains, if their wills be sutable to their abilities; the ground­work lying readily before them, in their own custodie, so as if they two will spend together but half so much time, as we have u­sually and fruitlessely spent at any one of our meetings, there may be more done in that short space, then we have done in all our impertinent and confused conferences.

And whereas that inconsiderate order of the 30 of September 1641. is Conceived to thwart those deeds under our hands and seals for the equal division of principal and profit upon the Farmes; groundlessely inferring that the division then made was as well upon the stock, as upon, the supposed gain; It doth contrarily and plainly appeare that at the time when this order was made; none of you there had one peny of principal stock remaining undivided, each of you having had his whole principal before; onely Sir Abraham dawes was a Crediror; & my self for so many wine Merchants bonds as were then known to be desperate, and were left in my hands as part of my princi­pal; how ever that very order so much insisted upon, doth speake plainly, that the said division should be equally made, and that who hath more then his proportion, should pay presently unto the other that should come short, so that every thing might be justly stated and cleared; and withal, that if the remainder of the stock should not come in to satisfie the debts, every one should rateabl [...] repay so much of the said division, as should discharge the same. Which taken for granted, there was due to me seven thousand two hundred and odd pounds, a [...] appeareth by the accompts drawn up and subscribed by your own accomptants in July. 1644. All the debts paid, there remaining in the treasu­rers hands a great part of the Tobacco, and never yet accom [...]ted for. Now Gentlemen, having thus far really and truely related the state of our unhappy partnership; I do leave it to your selves to choose whether you will accompt from the v [...]r [...] b [...] ­ginning of our undertaking the Customes; or to take [...]he me from those accompts drawn up in 1644. In one [...] which two wayes I do beseech you in such manner to [...] [...]hol [...] accounts [Page 28] as may stand with the discharge of your own consciencess, and the clearing of your integrities to the world; without which no in­ventions nor protractions can clear you, neither before God nor man. I do now call to minde a speech used unto me by one of you upon the Exchange, at our very first entrance into this (to me) fatal negotiation, id est, That the old farmers would be too hard for us; and I do also remember my own reply, (with which I shall conclude this scrole) that we would be too hard for them; my intent being to do nothing but what should become an honest man. This was my tenent at the first, and God willing shall be whilest breath is in my body. Onely this I adde, that without some settlement of the accompts between us; I shall not be ca­pable to assist you at all neither in payment of the old debts, nor with any supply towards the procuring of satisfaction for the great debt due unto us from the late King: but if you will please to order the just liquidation of the said accompts (though my condition be the poorest amongst you) I shall hope to finde friends so as to satisfie my full proportion of what sum soever shall be concluded between the creditors aswell for the two years as the contracted farmes, So wishing friendship, and praying God to direct you and me for the best, I take leave and rest

March the 13. 1649. 50.
At your service Job Harby.
J. H.

The way to settle this accompt justly and equally is to appoint Mr. Calendrini to make a new estimate of profit and losse, and then to divide as well the good as the bad matter equally accord­ing to each mans proportion, and then there can be no wrong to any man; but to give all the money unto one, and all the bad debts to another is most abominable injustice.

ANd not withstanding all these passages, the truth whereof I shal make good (upon my life) they will do nothing, but backbite me, and daily slander me to the Creditors, & others, with such other provocations; that I being but a worme, made of flesh and blood can no longer disgest; nor forbear the publishing of this my last re­fuge, wanting any other means to support me in this great & bitter afflictional which particulars Comprehended in as short a compass as my declining Genius could contract them; I do conclude with my hearty requests unto all those I am indebted unto for these partable accompts of the farmes: As followeth.

That you will seriosly observe these particulars, as followeth.

1. That the debts owing unto you for the two years farmes, is but 20000. li at the most; secondly, that the very same accompt ow­eth me twelve thousand pounds, thirdly, that for some of those debts (by the Art of Sir John Nulls) I have lain prisoner three years, and a half; fourthly, that the said Sir John Nulls as treasurer did take up at interest and lent more of these monyes without any sufficient warrant then would have paid all these debts unto you and me, and moreover doth keep in his hands, bonds, and security, to a far greater value, although he be tyed in equity, and by the Far­mers joynt order, with his own consent to be the Lord Gorings se­curity, and had the receipts of Tobacco, and Currants for his in­demnity; he having lost nothing by the said Farmes, but hath clear­ly gained thereby, 7 or 8000. li And is best able to pay the said debts; fiftly, Sir John Jacob doth owe me upon that score 2200. li with interest ever since Janna. 1641 and never payd me, one peny principal nor interest; howbeit these two persons have made it all their work to keepe me prisoner 3 ½ years, for those very debts which properly belong to themselves.

In tender Consideration of the premises, and for that all my said partners in the two years farmes, are gainers, and my self onely a great loser; you will please, that I may be no further prosecuted for those debts belonging thereunto; but that I may be set at liberty, to joyn with you as a Creditor in the pursuit of those two persons a­fore-named, who do wrongfully keep our means from us, and yet have visible estates sufficient to pay.

The April 1650
Job Harby.
FINIS.

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