MYSTERIES, AND SECRETS OF Trade and Mint-affairs:
With several REASONS against transporting Treasure; and waies set down for preventing the same: formerly presented to the Right Honorable the Lord Bradshaw, (at whose desire I undertook this pains,) and presented it to the late Council of State: and now enlarged, and humbly presented to this present Parlament of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, in Aug. 1653.
By THO. VIOLET of London, Goldsmith.
London, Printed by William Du-Gard, Anno Dom. 1653.
A List of all such Ships as the Fleet of the PARLAMENT of England have brought into this Common-wealth as Dutch-Prizes, (which Ships have all been discharged by the High Court of Admiraltie, the daies here-under written) besides several other Ships discharged as Dutch-prizes brought into this Common-wealth by divers private men of War, the particular names and times of their discharge, I humbly desire the Register of the High Court of Admiraltie may bee ordered to bring into the Parlament.
Also I humbly desire, that the Right Honorable Admiral Blake may bee desired to send up unto the Parlament what Ships of Hamborough, Lubeck, Danzick, or any of the Hans-Towns, hee or any of his Officers hath given passes to sail to the foresaid places, since August 12, 1652.
Ships and Goods therein restored | Masters. | The Parties to whom. | |
Decem. 10. 1652 | A Sloape called the Love and Goods, London | Luther Mayeer | Unto the Mr and Comp. |
Decemb. 16. 52 | Fisher of Straelsondt and Goods, Dover | Gaspor Viscar | Unto the Mr and owners |
Decemb. 16. 52 | Peter of Straelsondt and Goods, London | Albert Hubertson | Unto the Mr and owners |
Decemb. 16. 52 | Abraham's Sacrifice and Goods Ditto | Unto Peter Scrother for the use &c: | |
Decemb. 16. 52 | Fortune and Goods Ditto | Berent Van Dunk | Unto the said Mr and owners |
Decemb. 16. 52 | St John Baptist, and Goods | Bartle Johnson | Unto the Mr for the owners |
Decemb. 18. 52 | St John Baptist, and Goods | Rattey Bye Mr | Unto the said Mr for &c. |
Decemb. 18. 52 | George of Hambrough and Goods, Falmo | Martine Stehew | Unto the said Mr for &c. |
Decemb. 18. 52 | St John and Goods Ditto | Berent Johnsonson | Unto the Mr for &c. |
Decemb. 18. 52 | Temperance, and Goods | Frederick Witherick | Unto the Mr for &c. |
Decemb. 4. 52 | Peter and Goods except the Silver, Ditto | Daniel Stretman | Unto the Mr for &c. |
Octob. 15. 52 | St Jo. Baptist of Horn, & goods, except 1/16 part, Ditto | Inebrand Peterson | Unto Laurence de Geere |
Octob. 1o 52 | Goods Scedulate in the Cock, aliàs Rosecrame | Tenby | Unto Don Antonio de Plato |
Octob. 22. 52 | Young Tobias, and Goods, Cows | Wesell Gosenson Mr | Unto Zacharie Lappa |
July 30. 52 | Love Galliots, and goods, London | Sveyer Johnson | Unto Lewis de Geere, and compa |
Septem. 29. 52 | Goods Scedulate in the Cock, alàs Rosecrame | Tynby | Unto Iacintho Lopez, |
Octob. 12. 52 | Ann of Ostend, and Goods, Plimo | Daniel Cornellis | Unto Joos Fremont, and Compa |
Decem. 10. 52 | Sixtie eight Butts of Oyl in the Griman, London | Unto Cornellis and Gerard Knife | |
Septem. 21. 52 | A Sixth part of the Ship Hopewell, and Goods | Peter Johnson | Unto John Southwood, or assigns |
Octob. 8. 52 | ⅓ part of Ancona of Venice with freight due, Ditto | Adrian Hendrickson | Unto Eustace Van Ekey |
Decemb. 22. 52 | Katharine of Hambrough, and goods, Ditto | Bristoll | Unto the Mr for &c. |
Decemb. 10. 52 | A Chest and half & Barrel of Sugar, Fortune of Flushing | Unto John Hubine, or assigns | |
Octob. 15. 52 | ¼ part of one two and thirtieth part of the Ship Maid of Enchusen, and ¼ part of one two and thirtieth part of the lading, and 13 saccardave planks | Wm Johnson Lawne—London | Unto Zachary Lappa, or assigns |
August 15. 52 | 15/16 parts of the King David and lading | Walter Jacobson Mr | Unto Simon Clerk, and Compa |
Septem. 21. 52 | Fortune of Hambrough, and goods, Plimo | John Strother Master | Unto Philip Dunker, &c. |
Octob 1o 52 | May-Flower, and goods, Portsmo | Andrew Shorte Master | Except ⅛ part of Ship & goods for salvage |
August 5. 52 | Gift of God of Ayre, and goods, Plimo | Thomas Kennedy Mr | Unto Thomas Jarvan, and others |
Octob. 5. 52 | Fortune of Newport, and goods, Ditto | Joos de Vink Master | Unto Gasper Sanson, and others |
Novemb. 17. 52 | Peace of Wisemire, and goods, Dover | Claes Maults Master | Unto the said Mr and Compa |
Novemb. 19. 52 | St Jacob, and goods, London | Christian Vonderwetter | Unto the Mr for the owners |
Novemb. 19. 52 | Black Eagle, and goods, Dover | Harman Luders | Unto Hendrick Vanaskine, and others |
Novemb. 17. 52 | St Matthew of Hambrough, and goods, Ditto | Henry Cruse | Unto Peter Larkines, and others |
Novemb. 17. 52 | Charitie of Gottenbrough, Ditto | Paul Pawson Boman | Unto George Van Lingard, and others |
Novemb. 21. 52 | Hunter, and goods, Ditto | Claves Grisel Master | Unto the Mr and Compa |
Novem. 17. 52 | Fortune of Straelsondt, and goods, Ditto | Daniel Ranges | Unto the said Daniel Ranges, and others |
Novem. 22. 52 | Icedom, and goods, Ditto | Pasque Alberts | Unto the Mr for the use of Hen. Johnson |
Novem. 19. 52 | King David, and goods, London | Gillos Lites | Unto Vincent Kiningsburgh, and Compa |
Novem. 19. 52 | Sampson of Wisemire, and goods, Dover | Severt Godtman | Unto Henrick Vanderdlen, and others |
Novem. 17. 52 | Hope of Dantzick, and goods, Portsmo | John Johnson | Unto Peter Benson, and Compa |
Noxem. 17. 52 | Land of Promise, Dover | Garret Higenloe | Unto Burgo▪ Mr Wakeman, and others |
Novem. 17 52 | St Ellin of Rostock, Ditto | Hendrick Dureloffe | Unto the said M• and Compa |
Novem. 17. 52 | Fortune of Hambrough, and goods, Ditto | David Beck | Unto the Mr for the use of the owners |
Novem. 17. 52 | Fortune of Lubeck, and goods, Portsmo | Joachim Dunke | Unto the Mr and Compa |
Novem. 17. 52 | Justice of Hambrough, London | Frederick Fox | Vnto the Mr and Compa |
Novem. 19. 52 | St John, and goods, Dover | Hendrick Pape | Vnto the Mr for &c. |
Novem. 17. 52 | Concord of Lubeck, and goods, Ditto | John Dureloffe | Unto Anthony Weffels and Compa |
Novem. 19. 52 | Hope of Hambrough, and goods, Ditto | Hendrick Elders | Vnto John Jennink and Compa |
Novem. 19. 52 | Sampson of Hambrough, and goods, London | Hans Hiteman | Vnto William de la Bistrus and others |
Novem. 17. 52 | Black Oxe, and goods, Ditto | Garret Hendrickson | Vnto Andrew Garretson and others |
Novem. 8. 52 | Lno King David ¼ part, and ¼ part Brazeile-wood | Vnto Baldwin Matthews | |
Novem: 22. 52 | St Jacob of Hambrough, Falmo | Client Marenson | Vnto John Lemerman and Compa |
Octob. 15. 52 | Lno Little Prince 1/ [...] part and of Tackle and Furniture | Claes Junison | Vnto Ralph Tomaines |
Octob. 12. 52 | Ditto Antona of Venice ⅓ part and of Taclke, &c. | Peter Johnson | Vnto Baltazar Vandegoes |
Decem. 1o 52 | Two White Hawks, and goods, Dover | Peter Harmason Beker | Vnto the said Mr |
Novem. 19. 52 | Love, and goods, London | John Hendricks | Vnto William Blachford and others |
Decem. 1o 52 | St George, and goods, Dover | John Peterson Greipe | Vnto the Mr for the use of the owners |
Novem. 29. 52 | Hope, and goods, London | Hendrick Martines | Vnto the said Mr and Compa |
Novem. 29. 52 | Childrens Plea, and goods | Simon Fox | Vnto the said Mr and Compa |
Decem. 1o 52 | St Sebastian, and goods | John Geest | Vnto the said Mr. for the use of the owner. |
A TRUE NARRATIVE OF SOM Remarkable Proceedings Concerning the Ships Samson, Salvador, and George, and several other Prize-ships depending in the High Court of Admiraltie: most humbly presented to the PARLAMENT of the Common-wealth of ENGLAND, and to the Right Honorable the COUNCIL of STATE by Autoritie of PARLAMENT, and to the Honorable the Council of Officers, of his Excellencie the LORD GENERAL.
By THO. VIOLET of London, Gold-smith.
Who most humbly desire's them to take the same into their due Consideration, it beeing for the securitie and safetie of the Nation.
LONDON, Printed by William Du-Gard, An. Dom. 1653.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE Major General HARRISON, Major General DESBOROW, Collonel PHILIP JONES, and Collonel BENNET; All of the Right Honorable the Council of State.
WHen God, by his Providence, had dissolved the late Parlament and Council of State, the 20 of April, 1653; and most of those Honorable Members of the Council, and Parlament (to whom I made formerly my humble Addresses in the behalf of the State, against several Prize-ships and Silver, depending the 20 December, 1652, in the Court of Admiraltie) ceasing from their publick emploiments, and reduced into the condition of private persons; It pleased [Page] God to put it into my heart, to make my addresses to Col. Weeton, and Lievtenant Col. Joice, whom I had observed in all their actions to bee publick spirited men, and such as daily sought the honor and welfare of the Common-wealth.
When I had acquainted them with my business, and how far I had proceeded in the Court of Admiraltie, and the present condition and posture of the Common-wealth's Silver-prises, and other affairs in that Court: They were pleased, when they understood my desires, freely to present the state of this weightie affair unto your Honors, desiring your care of the business, even so far as your Honors saw it did conduce to the profit, safetie, and honor of the Common-wealth: thereupon I made my humble addresses to your Honors; Major General Harrison beeing pleased to give mee thanks for my pains and care I had taken about the staying the Prize-Silver and Ships; and Collonel Bennet and Col. Jones sending for mee, upon the Lievtenant of the Tower's information to them about mee, They desired mee to give them informations for the carrying on the business of the Silver Prizes, and that I should set down several rules for the managing the Coining [Page] of the silver for the State's profit, and for keeping an account of all the particular parcels, which I did, and delivered it to Col. Jones, and Col. Bennet.
Major General Desborow procured mee a new Warrant from the Council of State: these great favors of your Honors, for giving mee encouragement to proceed in this business of the Prize-ships and Silver, I humbly conceiv, was onely in relation to the service and prosperitie of the Common-wealth, and your love to Justice, that every one should have his right.
May it pleas your Honors! The Court of Admiraltie, in time of VVar, is like a private Postern to a strong Castle that is besieged; the passage is narrow, you can com in but one by one; but if the Garrison neglect to put a Sentinel at that door, that little Postern shall, in short time, through the vigilancie of the Adversaries, let in so many enemies, that the Castle will bee taken.
Your Court of Admiraltie is a dangerous Back-door of the Common-wealth; if the State watch not carefully, to see what goe's, and to have a good account of what Prizes com in, either for the State, or for private men of VVar.
May it pleas your Honors! there is [Page] a great deal of difference between the judgment of any Court of Justice in Westminster, which are between man and man, and the Judgments and Acts of a Court of Admiraltie for maritime causes; for if an error in judgment, or any undue practices in the proceedings of the Chancerie, Upper-Beuch, Common-Pleas, and Checquer doth fall out; if it bee for the State, the Common-wealth may have a review, and trie their Title again: and the like it is between partie and partie, if they pleas: the Lands remain, the people are here to give a respons to any such actions. But your Court of Admiraltie hath such a Postern door, called, the Sea, that an error in judgment there, is a damage irreparable, in this conjuncture of time; for the Ships and Merchandize may bee, and have been, in your enemie's power, to bee imploied against you in 40 hours after, as in case of several Ships discharged the Court of Admiraltie.
This Postern of your Court of Admiraltie was made so wide, by the industrie of several Merchants: and no doubt but it was by means of monie, that will cut through the Pirenean mountains, that twelv Ships passed out of the Court of Admiraltie [Page] at one time, the 17 of November, 1652; and seven Ships the 19 Nov. and five the 16 Dec. 1652. & 4 Ships 18 Dec. 1652: quick judgments in such weightie businesses; whereas the safetie of the Common-wealth, and every particular person, was concerned to have every Prize-ship strictly examined before their Discharge; and this was don after they were brought as Prize, at a vast charge of your Fleet and loss of blood; a sad thing to think, that the State's business should bee so managed.
May it pleas your Honors! about the 16 December, 1652, seventeen Ships were to bee discharged by the Court of Admiraltie, conteining 3400 Tuns; all laden with rich Commodities, and silver, had not I com into the Court of Admiraltie, and protested against the Deliverie of them: as appear's on Record in the said Court; for my doing thereof I had a verbal VVarrant from the Committee of Forreign Affairs. If you will bee pleased to enquire what became of many of these Ships so discharged, this Narrative following will acquaint you: Som of them went to Holland, Captain Bishop's Letters from Holland will tell you the same of many of these Ships.
May it pleas your Honors! The Court [Page] of Admiraltie was, about Christ-tide last, ruled by three men, of different affections: One, that knew much of the Law, and the practice of that Court, which hee did daily shew openly; but it was in that waie of bitterness against the State's Interest in their several Prizes, that no Counsel at the Bar said half so much for their Clients, as hee, beeing a Judg, declared against the Common-wealth's Title about som of the Prizes, and Silver. The Other just, and would have been glad to have don the Common-wealth's business, but that hee was not grounded in the Proceeding of that Court. A Third grown suddenly rich, by the common rule that all Judges that grow suddenly rich, must walk by.
May it pleas your Honors! When I was first commanded by the Council of State to attend this business, about the Prize-silver, I saw so much in these persons & their practice, and som of the Proctors of that Court, at the first entrance into the Court about this business of my Protest, that I was startled and troubled to consider, what a business I had undertaken to the Committee of Forreign Affairs.
But I put on a Resolution, by God's Assistance, [Page] not to bee worded out of this business, but to wade through it; for that the safetie of the whole Nation was at the Stake, in that conjuncture of time, the Hollanders beeing at that time in the Downs. And to terrifie mee, and to deter mee from proceeding to do you this service; when I seriously considered of the business, I had first the Merchants ready to load mee with actions, if I could not have proved my Allegations. Secondly I had publick Ministers, that would have taken away my life as an Incendiarie, if I could not have proved, there was Silver belonging to the Hollanders, in the Ships, Sampson, Salvador, and George, which I staied. And thirdly, had these Prizes been cleared, I had many of the Council of State would have sent mee back to my Old Lodging in the Tower. Fourthly I had an enraged companie of Doctors and Proctors, and such things, whose Trade I discovered, and was resolved, by God's assistance, to spoil for the time to com; and indeed I had so many obstacles to contest with, as would have startled a thousand men.
Against this, I set the Safetie of the Nation, and restoring mee to my Estate: and that I should convince mine enemies that they [Page] had don ill in oppressing mee, when they see both what I could and would venture to do for my Countrie's service; and the world should see, that I would not fear the face of any to unmask these frauds: And I hope the Justice and VVisdom of Parlament, will make strict laws and rules for the future, to prevent such abuses as have been notoriously practised by many in that Court; and that the State will keep good Sentinels and watchmen for the future, both to examine all papers, Bills of Lading, and the Registers and all the Examiners, and other proceedings in that Court.
It is not one or two of the ablest men that can bee found in this Nation can do this business in the Admiraltie duly as it should bee don: If I bee commanded, and have a moderate allowance, I will give the State a good account for the time to com.
And at this present time the Prizes are many, and somtimes a man may light on a Letter, a Paper, or sheet of Account, that may bee worth to the State a hundred thousand pounds: and there are secrets in the expounding of Merchant's Letters, (that are not easily discovered) Accounts, and Bills of Lading, Purser's [Page] Books; and will take up several knowing men's time to understand: a strict eie will improve the State's Interest much; and if the State will have this business well don, it must bee well paid for; for small fees and pensions, where great trusts are, make's the Divel suggest invitations to take Bribes; and where a man must laie out two or three hundred pounds, or more, for his intelligence, boat-hire, and messengers, (and without this your business cannot bee well don) and if your Officer shall not have much more a year from the State for his yearly Fees in this business; this, I believ, hath made som to take up the temptation, and to make them finde out waies to help themselvs, seeing the State will not paie them well for their pains, getting more in an hour by delivering a paper, or concealing it, than the State will allow them for seven years Salarie. If I would have driven this Trade to have betraied my trust, I needed not have asked the State a pennie: I could have had my eleven thousand pound, without Petitioning for it. I have good reason to believ this is, and hath been acted by som: I would wish to mend it for the future, least this fire burst out, and consume them before [Page] they bee aware of it: I have given som notice of it, if God give them grace to prevent it for the future; for els at one time or other it will burst out. If I have proof of it, I shall not spare him or them, when I am emploied by the State.
May it pleas your Honors! I discovered the frauds of the Merchants, and others, in laboring to deceiv the State of their Prize-silver. But it was my Lord Bradshaw, who, by his power, interest, and influence in the late Council of State, and his profound experience and judgment that caused the imbargo of the Silver to bee made: and what benefit and Treasure doth com into the Common-wealth by the Silver-prizes. The Common-wealth, I humbly say, ow's the primarie Remembrance thereof to his judgment and vigilancie in this weightie business: For when I brought him first my Papers, those of the 8th December, 1652. And after other Papers, hee presently upon his diligent reading of them, found out the fraud, as to his particular judgment, and asked mee many other Questions then I had writen; which satisfied him, and that made his Honor press so hard in this business against those that opposed mee at [Page] the Council of State for my prosecution thereof; and to see that I should not bee oppressed for doing the State this service.
For at one time in the Council of State, it was at a standing-water, whether I should shoot Bridg, and so go back to the Tower, where I had been formerly laid up, by the power of malitious and subtil men, who made many of the late Parlament-men their instruments to keep mee in the Tower, upon pretence that I was a malignant, that so I should not discover the nest of Transporters of Gold and Silver; which I then was Ordered by the Parlament to do: and there is about twentie Orders of Parlament and Committees, for the bringing in the Act for the discoverie of the same, and the Act twice read in the late Parlament; and an Order for the finishing the Act against the Transporters of Gold, about 14 April last, was appointed in the Parlament.
May it pleas your Honors! my Lord Bradshaw told mee; about Christ-tide last, before Tho. Westroop Esquire, that there was som of the Council would, if they could, hang mee for staying this Silver; which doing of mine, as hee conceived, [Page] was a great and good service to the Common-wealth; but to the uttermost of his power hee would see they should not oppress mee: So that the State ow's his Lordship for that benefit they receiv by the Prize-silver, and I ow my libertie to his justice and goodness, that would engage himself in this business, to see I should not bee oppressed for my doing this service for the Common-wealth. I humbly wish, for the safetie of the Common-wealth, wee had more States-men of his profound judgment, vigilancie and courage.
The God of heaven prosper your Honors in all you take in hand; that so you may bee a blessing to this Nation in general; that as God hath chosen you from thousands of your Brethren to do mightie things, and wonderful in the eies of this Generation, both at home and abroad; so hee would out of his infinite mercies keep your hearts upright, that no worldly prosperitie make you forget God's infinite mercies to you and yours; but that you may, all the daies of your life remember your deliverances in the daies of battle, when you jeoparded your lives for the freedom of this Nation: no doubt God [Page] heard your vows, and exspect's your performances for the good of this Nation.
May it pleas your Honors! This Narrative I humbly present you, is the unmasking of a cunning and dangerous plot against the Parlament, tending to the ruine and destruction of every particular Member of this Nation.
When I was first engaged in making my discoverie, I met with many Wasps that did sting mee, and venemous Adders; but by the good guidance of God, the State hath plucked out som of their teeth; others will storm to see these Truths discovered and laid open to your Honors. I am a most humble suiter to the Parlament and your Honors for your protection and countenance in the doing this service to the Nation.
God bless and prosper all the counsels and undertakings of Your Honors, and every particular Member of this present Parlament; that no force or combination of forreign or home-born Traitors may undermine them; that they beeing delivered from their enemies both at home and abroad, may never forget God's great mercies, that they may bee nursing fathers of this Nation, that they may bee tender [Page] and merciful to the poor and distressed, that they bee builders up of our breaches, and that they carefully cherish Arts and Manufactures for the setting all the poor of this Nation a Work, that all the blessings of this life may bee bestowed on them. And as God hath raised them above their brethren, so that hee would bee pleased to rais them all to reign with his Son for ever; it beeing that which is promised those that rule well here, shall reign with him eternally in the heavens: and this shall bee the praier of