LONDON'S Account: OR, A Calculation of the Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Exactions, Taxations, Impositions, Excises, Contributions, Subsidies, Twentieth Parts, and other Assessements, within the Lines of Communication, during the foure yeers of this Unnaturall Warre.
VVhat the totall summe amounts unto, What hath beene disbursed out of it, and what remaines in the Accomptants hands.
Imprinted in the Yeere, 1647.
To any READER that loves Reason or Understanding.
YOu that reade, I would have you know and consider this great oppression that hath been laid upon all men, (except the Members of both Houses) hath occa [...]ioned me to spend some few houres to make a Calculation of that masse of wealth which hath been within these foure yeeres collected in London, and the Parishes comprehended within the Weekly Bills. I doubt not, but all have paid who were able, and none escaped but my former exception.) Now if thy support be not out of those unlawfull Taxes, (by which meanes thou mayst be prejudicate) Reade and judge; and thou canst not but finde that I have written, as being free from favour, falshood, and partiality: For I have omitted the Taxes laid on all Halls and Companies, which hath been great and large summes; besides divers Trades lyable to the Excise, it must needs be farre greater.
But thou mayst perceive or guesse by the bignesse of the Paw, of what a huge bulk and body the Beast is, as well as the Author can; and know, all the Counties and Cities in England and Wales, have likewise beene charged to the uttermost. I confesse I have purposely omitted the Charge for Armes, and I did it, in regard they invested themselves of all which His Majesty was owner of at London, Hull, and all other places they could, which cost them nothing (but the taking.) We leave to consideration, the direfull effects of the issues of those collections, [Page 2]which only hath beene the Causes of shedding Innocent Blood, (if our Lawes be Judge) Ruined the Kingdome, most intollerably dishonoured our mercifull and Gracious King, Queene, the Prince, withall the Royall Issue, and useing all the cruelties, and Avaritious demenours upon the Persons, Lives, Liberties, Estates and Consciences of as many as have dared either to be Protestants or true Subjects; to the encrease of Theeves and Beggars, to the making of Widows and fatherlesse Children, to the plucking downe of the divine vengance upon this afflicted Land, to maintaine and inrich only factious, contentious, and insolent persons, the shame of Kingdome and City.
LONDONS ACCOUNT, &c.
IT is (saith the wisest of Kings and men) the greatest of afflictions and oppressions, when subjects and servants rule; and if this Kingdome in generall, and this City in particular, hath not found this Truth, then they are both to learne what Affliction and Oppression is. But (to confirme its verity) I have here (and I hope it will not be expected exactly, because I protest I have not seen any Roll of Sellement of any one parish, and therefore have no guide to this my Calculation, but first, the order for assessing, and next, the order for a review, lest any through favour or friendship were not fully assessed. This considered, see what a masse of treasure in this City (and her Weekly Bills) hath been levyed towards the Kings, the Kingdomes, and her owne ruine. And leave the Reader to judge by these few particulars, how neere the truth this Calculation comes; yet herein is not comprehended neither Pole-money, Royall Subsidies, sale of the Irish Lands, (because these passed by Royall consent) and was at the Parliaments disposu [...]e; and had they not been diverted from their prop [...]r intendments, doubtlesse would have done more then discharged them: Nor that voluntary Contribution to the reliefe of the poore distressed Protestants in Ireland: Nor that fast and loose trick by inviting such as formerly had paid summes in for Land in Ireland, to pay half as much more; for which halfe (if an Order speake truth) [Page 4]they shal have as much Land, as for their former summes paid; and I assure you, both of these were not inconsiderable.
Now, to leven the lump of factious and contentious persons, the first course must be to fill the peoples eares with oppressions of Conscience, and infringements of Liberties, (pills covered with gold, that are treason and poyson within.) Then to displace solid Magistrates and grave Citizens, lest if such good men were in authority, they might sowre our lump before it was (by our usurping Masters) well kneaded, by understanding mens speculative insight into their proceedings. Those must be removed, and in their steads, covetous sharks, and griping men, (such as never knew faire dealing) shallow braind fooles, and little better then insolent persons, (men that desire the place, not deserve it) must be elected in their roomes, whose ignorance proclaimes what they are in their daily consenting to they knew not well what. For oppression of conscience, who can justly alledge (that is a Royall and a loyal subject) that that is an oppression which the Law hath established? But the same forme of Doctrine and Discipline which was established in the Church of England, by Parliaments, in blessed Queene Elizabeths Raigue, disputed and defended by her successor, King James, (of happy memory) and the opponents so sa isfied, they consented and subscribed thereunto; maintained and (to his uttermost) defended by our now most gracious and mercifull Soveraign with the hazard of his life, and according to Law performed in his Chappels and Cathedrall Churches. Now if any Church within His Maiesties Dominions, did wilfully or carel [...]sly omit what the Law enioyned, it is no oppression to compell them thereunto, for the Law doth it. [Page 5]But doe not those who have cryed out of the oppression of their ten [...]et consciences, straine gnats, and swallow beetles? Are their consciences so tender against Uniformity of Prayer, (yea and the Lords Prayer too) and yet consider not how often they have sworne to submit to it, and their Superiours that imposed it? Obedience is better then sacrifice. Wherefore all that doe adhere to such, doe deserve our Saviours woe. Observe but Gods Judgment on these men, that cannot agree either in doctrine or discipline, their daily invective pens doe witnesse this for a truth. For our Liberties, we had them, and enioyed them, whilst we maintained the Lawes; since we have violated those, we are in worse condition then Turkish slaves: for who is it that enioyes life or livelyhood longer then the beneplacite of his fellow. Subiects? And if God (for our sinnes) hath decreed us slaves, better it is to be so to a Royal King, then to those whose cruelties we already so much have had tryal of. Our Pulpits and Declarations thunder into the eares of the people, the unlawfulnesse of Ship, Coat, and Conduct money; As I wil not justifie them, so (under favour) I cannot conceive them unlawful in a time of necessity. And could it be otherwise then an urgent need, when His Maiesties Subiects of Scotland were in Armes against the Kings Honour, Crowne and Dign ty, marching to intest this our peaceable Kingdome, with the calamities of Warre? Besides, if such Levies were against former Lawes, what need we then of our late Acts, that from thence forward no Levies should be laid upon the Subiect, til it passed by an Act of Parliament; for was it formerly unlawful, the Law would have censured it; and now we know it is so. I admire what those men can alledge, that craved, and had this Act passed, to curb the prerogative of Kings, [Page 6]and yet are the first violators of the same Law themselves, whilst they are sitting in the same place, as they were when they craved to have the same Law enacted.
Since, they have acknowledged the Lawes cannot question the King for a Breach, (but it can question all and every Subject.) But the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, established by law, and the Subjects liberty, hath been, and ever will be maintained and defended against all Sectaries and contentious men, by more abler pens: And therefore I will returne to the Cities inconsideratenes, and desire them (since the hardnesse of their hearts disswades them) to beleeve, at least they would fancie what the whole Kingdome grones under. And withall to call to mind, that they were not onely the causers, but they are still the continuers, and maine actors of all its miseries. That since His Maiesties mercies so often tendred cannot, their owne follies so plainly evidenced (to so great oppression) may reduce their iudgements, to know to whom rightly they doe owe their obediecce, for the Disciples are not above their Master, and obedience is first commanded to Emperours and Kings, and next, to those whom they set over us.
I desire to shew my selfe a true Patriot, and doubt not but al Loyall and faithfull Subjects will doe the like; as for those who have done otherwayes, God and King Charles (upon their true Repentance) take them into favo [...]r and forgive them; And I would not have them offended if I say their owne factions hath caused their own fractions, and the flye and under-hand Courses of many of them hath made them in this world too hastily R ch; And all such doe make little conscience of any thing they undertake, for from the begining the Lawes [Page 7]of God or man was not, nor to their end shal not be their guide. It is worth your consideration to remember how peny-wise you were at the begining of this long-winded Parliament, refusing the loane of but 100000. l. except His Maiesty would condescend, some conceive, to an everlasting Parliament, for an assurance of your repayment, (which ir you be all re-paid, tis wel) But since you have embraced an authority is desired to be made lawful, and by that unlawful power forced so many uniust Taxes, as hath (as you shal see anon) amounted to above seuenteene millions and an halfe of pounds within these foure yeeres; I may say as the Replyer said to you, You have done, but did you ever understand what you did doe? besides the Loanes, plunder, and the many Sequestrations, (which I have heard are no fewer then 80000 in England and Wales) which your sharking Committee-men resolve to give no good account of: And so know you have been in general pound foolish; for look but upon the issue, it is but a cipher to that which hath been collected.
But you may obiect, There is not so much come to the Parliaments hands.
That cleeres not the Charge, were it iust, I see no reason but it should. And as some of our now Magistrates and griping Citizens know it, Uniust—The report goes, neere halfe the said Collections are fleeced away by sharking Officers—which is and wil be an everlasting shame, and Gods curse wil attend it, on them and theirs, in regard it hath maintained a most bloody and native Warre against God, his Church, our Soveraigne, his Loyal Nobility, Gentry and Commonalty, and the blood of thousands doth cry aloud to the Almighties [Page 8]Tribunall for vengeance on the causers of these unnaturall divisions. Your inconstant and wavering thoughts first commenc'd this Warre; your hands and purses (by fraud and violence) have maintained it; and if (from the bottome of your soules) you repent not of it, God in the fulnesse of his time will be avenged on you for it. Let the Lawes of God and the Land be your rule, then I doubt not but we may enjoy peace again. And though the Replyer to your Remonstrance told you, it is in the Parliaments power to ruine you, they and he knowes (if you resolve to be honest) the contrary. In the mean time, God in mercy look down upon our dread Soveraign, whom you (originally) have necessitated, and iniured most uniustly, with our Queene, Prince, and the rest of the Royall issue. Preserve (O Lord) and prolong his life, because a more religious, gracious, and mercifull King never reigned in this Kingdome, nor ever was a good King more abused by Subiects, nor more undeservingly worse spoken of. Good God confound and scatter all those that delight in, or make a trade of rebellious warre; let them fly and be disperst like dust before the wind: This shall be mine, and ought to be the prayer of all loyall Subjects, and true Patriots.
| I conceive in the 129. parishes, there cannot be fewer inhabitants then the number of 600000. Families, out of that proportion I doubt not for their Twentieth part, not f [...]wer have been assessed then 400000 my reasons are, first, by the Ordinance the Assessors were to estanate all men, and so selfe them. Now these being factious men, fessed not according to reason or judgement, but (for the Cause sake) according to their will, malice, and spleene. I confesse the Ordinance gave way that men might ease themselves (if over-rated) by declaring upon oath their worth; but this remedy was worse then the disease, for thereby they must discover their estates, or pay what they were assessed at. To discover their estates, endangered their credit, which could not but occasion their ruine, and so necessitated to pay summes far above mens abilities. Secondly, all Halls of Corporations have been largely estimated, & great store of men of known ability forced to pay large summs: Now if you consider every Corporation and man that paid 1000. l at the rate all are valued at one with another, hath paid for 49. more then himselfe, and so for greater or lesser summes accordingly, for rating these 400000 families one with another but at 20. l. a family, it amounts to for the whole, | 8:000000 |
| The 50 Subsidi [...]s granted, if I have not been misinformed, every Subsidy is 2800. l. which for the 50. is | 0:140000 |
| The weekly Fast dayes, 400000. families for six months, rating each family 6. d. a week, though the greatest part paid 1. s. and 2. s. but rate them one with another at 6. d. a week, it amounts for 6. months to | 0:240000 |
| The assessement for bringing in the Scots, though none were to be assessed but such as would not take their oathes they were not worth 1000. l. yet it could not amount to lesse then | 0:100000 |
| 8: 480000 |
| Now to bring this into an Annuall Calculation to the severall summes following, which by Orders hath been levyed by Excises, take the fourth part of the summe above, and you shall find it | 2: 120000 |
| The weekly assessement to maintaine the Armie from 400000 families, at 6. d. a family one with another, and not without just cause, for I know a poore Porter was compelled to pay 12. d. or go [Page 10]a souldier, and no able housholder but payed far larger, and for any thing I could learne, all payed that received not almes. This for six months, amounts to | 0: 240000 |
| There is not vented in this City in Grocery ware, lesse then 600000. l. a yeere, which at 1. s. per l. is for the yeere | 0: 030000 |
| There is not vented in all sorts of Mercery ware in this City, lesse then 500000. at 1. s. per l. | 0: 025000 |
| There is not vented by Silkmen lesse then 400000. a yeere, at 1. s. per l. | 0: 020000 |
| There is not vented of all sorts of Haberdashers ware lesse then 500000. l. a yeere, at 1. s. per l. | 0: 025000 |
| There is not vented by Salters and Oylemen lesse yeerly then 600000. at 1. s. per l. | 0: 030000 |
| There is not vented by Linnen Drapers in generall lesse then 600000. l. a yeere, at 1. s. per l. | 0: 030000 |
| There is not vented by Woollen Drapers lesse then 500000. l. a yeere, at 6 d. per l. | 0: 012500 |
| H [...]rs of all sorts cannot vent lesse then 100000 a yeere, at 1. s. per l. | 0: 005000 |
| Upholsters in their several dealings 80000 l. a yeer, at 1. s. per l. | 0: 004000 |
| Stationers and Paper-sellers 80000. a yeere, at 1. s. per l. | 0: 004000 |
| Leather-sellers and Trunk-makers in these times 200000. at 1. s. per l. | 0: 010000 |
| Ironmongers in generall 300000 a yeere, at 1. s. per l. | 0: 015000 |
| Spanish Tobacco there cannot be lesse imported then 200000. l. weight, at 2. s. per l. is | 0: 020000 |
| English Plantations 1200000. at 2. d. per l. | 0: 010000 |
| Six shill beere in 400000. families, admitting one family with another spend but 20. barrels a yeere each family, it is 8: 000000. of barrels, at 6. d. the barrell, amounts to | 0: 200000 |
| Strong Beere and Ale vented in Innes, Cooks houses, Alehouses, and Chandlers, of all which in the 129 parishes there cannot be lesse then 8000. if every of these draw but one barrell a week, it is 416000. which at 2. s. per barrell amounts to | 0: 041600 |
| Strong beere and ale in private houses, if 200000. of them spend but 2. barr. a yeer apiece, it is 400000. bar. at 1. s. per bar. | 0: 020000 |
| Wine of all sorts, there is not lesse imported yeerly then 20000. Tonnes, at 5. l. a Tonne, | 0: 100000 |
| Butchers and Poultrers for 400000 families, for they must all eate, now one with another cannot spend lesse then 8. s. a weeke, for if some poorer sort spend but 5. s. and lesse they cannot spend in a family, others spend 15.20.30. yea 40. s. a weeke: But as above at 8. s. a week one with another, it is 8000. l. a week, at 1. s. per l. and for the yeere | 0: 416000 |
| The Annuall Revenue of the Crowne they say is eleven hundred thousand pounds a yeere, but I place here but | 1:— |
| 4: 378100. |
Which for the foure yeeres is seventeene millions, five hundred and twelve thousand foure hundred pounds. 17. mil. 512400. l.
| I doubt not but it will be expected this yeerly large Income in this City onely should have as large, or (indeed as the Publique Faith stands indebted) farre larger issues, else it cannot be engaged without unsufferable fraud from the Kingdoms oppression. But since all their Orders, and Speeches to this City, have expressed no other issues but the Armies pay, consider, that if this City alone hath for these foure yeeres maintained tenne thousand Foot, pay every soulder 8. d. a day for the whole yeere, so he should have no free Quarter nor Plunder since he is payd, or should be for the whole yeere, excepting Sundaies, and that amounts to but 104333. l. 15. s. But I here adde the Sundayes, and cast it for 365 dayes to the yeer, allotting the 17333. l. 15. s. to pay all their Officers as duly, yet all together is but | 121666. l. |
| Grant they likewise maintaine 2000. Horse, pay these for 313 dayes 2. s. 6. d. a day, it amounts to but 78250. l. But for the payment of their Officers, adde the 52 dayes, which is 13000. l. and both these summes for the whole yeere is but | 91250. l. |
| Grant twenty of His majesties Ships, great and small, be employed yeerly, allotting to every Ship 100 men, which is for the whole 2000 men, though few or none are so well manned, pay these 2000 fifteen shil. a month for the whole yeere, their wages amounts to but 18000. l. but to pay Officers in them, adde 2000. l. more, and all makes but | 20000: l. |
| Victuall these 20 Ships with 2000. allotting every man 8. d. a day for the whole yeere, it amounts to little more then | 24433. l: |
| Grant you have 30. merchants Ships great and small in the service, hire them one with another mann'd, victualled, and furnished for the Warre at 200. pounds a month, (and so you [Page 12]may doe) say they are in your service nine months in the yeere, it is but | 54000. l. |
| 311349:— |
| These charges I am certain are the maine ones, and with the largest that this City ever was put to, and were it well examined, I conceive a third part of every charge here was not employed from hence alone, for all Counties had their share in pay of the Army, how it is possible for such large incomes to be so much indebted, since the issues are not answerable, as you shall see by that should remaine for ballance is to me a riddle, since the yeers rest that this Credit▪ hath, stands indebted to the Debit. | 4: 066751 |
| 4: 378100 |