APPENDIX. HotSE OF THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS. House of Lords, 6th Feb. 1872. We have the honour to lay before you the following report of the progress of the work of sorting, calendaring, &c. the MSS. in the repository of the House of Lords. A great number of papers have during the past year been cleaned and stamped, and removed from the cellars on the river level to a convenient place for sorting. Most of the papers yet discovered of an earlier date than 1700 have been sorted and dated, but it is more than probable that many other papers belonging to this period may still be found as the work goes on.* A list has been made of the papers at present sorted and dated up to March 1645-6. The work of examining and calendaring the MSS. has been carried up to February 1640-41. The papers consist chiefly of petitions, drafts of bills, drafts of entries in the journals, and documents brought probably to the House in peerage or appeal cases. From the commencement of the 17th century the papers are more interesting than before, illustrating amongst others the following subjects : The privileges of peers and their servants. The jurisdiction of the Star Chamber and High Commission Courts. The liberty of the subject. The injury done to the poor by the inclosure of common lands. Many of the papers, though the contents are well known, are yet interesting as originals. As examples of this may be mentioned the original MS. of Selden's Baronage (1621, Dec. 15) (see Calendar under date mentioned; a holograph letter of James I. to Cecil, beginning “My littill Beagle” [1607?] (see Calendar under date mentioned]; a duplicate letter of James I. to the Pope (1622, Sept. 30) (see Calendar under date mentioned]; the two answers of Charles I. to the Petition of Right; petitions of the Earl of Strafford presented during his trial; letters of Charles I., &c. Some of the most interesting of the MSS, belonging to the period prior to the year 1641 have been either published in extenso or referred to in the first and second Reports of the Commissioners. The letters and papers respecting John Durye's mission to the continent for the purpose of effecting a pacification between the Lutherans and Calvinists (referred to in the second Report of the Commissioners, p. ix.) have now been examined and calendared. The dates range from February 1630-31 to March 1639-40. Examples of the most interesting amongst these papers will be found in the subjoined list. The papers relating to Archbishop Laud's visitation in the case of Canterbury Cathedral were described at some length in the appendix to the second Report of the Commissioners, p. 108. There are other papers relating to his visitations in the case of the cathedral churches of Rochester, Salisbury, Exeter, Bristol, Wells, Lichfield, St. Paul's; and also in the case of the colleges of Eton and Winchester. A number of “Minute Books" or MS. volumes of minutes of proceedings of the House of Lords, written apparently by one of the clerks of the table, deserve notice. In these are frequently to be found notes of debates and other matters not contained in the printed journals. There are in all 10 volumes, the dates of which range from March 1620-21 to March 1644-45. Attention has been drawn to these Minute Books by Mr. S. R. Gardiner, in a small volume of Elsynge's Notes or Notes of Debates in the House of Lords, HOUSE OF edited from the original MS. in the possession of Lieute LORDS. nant-Colonel Carew, published by the Camden Society in 1870. In the subjoined list is printed a copy of the Petition of certain Peers presented to the King at York in Sept. 1640, praying him to call a Parliament. The Petition is given in extenso in the Parliamentary History (VIII. 492), but the differences in the list of signatures make the MS. interesting. There is one paper which seems to us deserving of particular notice, though in calendaring the MSS. we have not yet reached the date to which it belongs. It is a copy of Sir Hy. Vane's notes of the speeches of the Earl of Strafford and others, made at "a giunto “ of the Privy Council for the Scotch affairs," on the 5th of May 1640, the day of the dissolution of the Short Parliament; when the question of the war with Scotland was under discussion. It was read in the House of Commons, 10th April 1641 (C. J., II. 118) in support of the charges against the Ear), and was sent up to the Lords on the 12th (L. J., IV. 215.) The history of this paper is briefly as follows :The younger Vane was directed by his father, the secretary, to look in his cabinet for certain documents, and in so doing came upon the original of this paper, Young Vane, showed the paper to Pym, who made a copy of it. The original was then restored to its place, and afterwards destroyed by the elder Sir Henry Vane with other papers, “lest by any accident they might “ come into hands that might make an ill use of “ them.” [Clarendon, I. 404.] The copy was read to both Houses of Parliament; and it was in great measure in consequence of the information thereby gained that the Act of Attainder was passed, under which Strafford was finally executed. There are extracts from this paper in Rushworth, Parliamentary History, &c., but we have not been able to find it anywhere in extenso. It will be found in the subjoined list, in which are also included copies or notes of other documents which seemed deserving of special notice. We remain, MERTON A. Thoms. DOCUMENTS ABOVE REFERRED TO. [1.] 1498, Dec. 1.-Warrant or letter from Henry VII. to the Clerk of the Parliament, states that the King has commanded the Master of the Rolls to deliver to him certain rolls for the entry of the continue of a bill of proviso of and upon an office granted to Wm. Stafford. . [Signed with the King's sign manual.] Annexed. Proviso, saving rights of Wm. Stafford, . under letters patent, dated 25th September 1485, “ as “ well of the office of keeper of our change & money “ within our tower of London, as of keeper of the “ (coinage) of gold & silver within our said tower or “ elsewhere within our realm of England.” The discovery of this document makes the Roll complete, which was before imperfect). [2.7 1584, Dec. 19.-Draft of “ An Act for the con“firmation of the Queen's Majesty's letters · Patent, “ granted to Walter Raleigh, Esquire, touching the " discovery and inhabiting of certain foreign lands " and countries." [See Calendar under date mentioned.] [3.] (1613?).-Draft of “ An Act to prevent the " impunity of foreign murders.” [See Calendar under date mentioned.] 54.7 1619, May 15.-" The duplicament of the ac« count of Sir Giles Mompesson, knight, receiver of “ the fines, rents, and profits, for licenses of innkeepers “ for one whole year and a half and twenty-three days, “ ended the 29th day of September 1618." [5.] 1620, May 30.-A book of licenses granted for the keeping of alehouses, showing the name and locality • Since the printing of this a large number of papers have been found belonging to this period, many of them of a date earlier than 1625. HOUSE OF of each house, and the fine and rent paid for the license for the peace of the church, and also the perils and HOUSE OF LORDS. owing to the dissensions within her, so much the more, brethren in Christ, and signify to them the archbishop's the archbishop cannot answer each separately ; bids handwriting, and are signed by him : in the margin “ Lutheran, the other to the Calvinist party in Ger- the Bishop of Westerose, a popular man, but very bois- " slow in all things, but I fear in this he will be too Bulwicke. Noted in Laud's handwriting, “Rec. Aug. “ slack, for as the clergy doth stand in awe of him, so “ 15, 1633, Sir Thomas Roe about peace with the “ he of them, and perhaps more than they of him;" “ Lutherans.” Durye must therefore stay where he is; has translated [11.] 1633, Oct. 7.-Draft of a letter from Arch the patent by which the High Commission Court was bishop Laud to the divines of Sedan. Has received created, but waits for a fit occasion to deliver it; the their letter addressed to himself, and also that ad opposition of the Bishop of Westerose has upset the dressed to the late archbishop in favour of ecclesiastical Chancellor's plans in Durye's favour; is anxious that peace; has laid the matter before the King, who, after an emissary should be sent from Sweden to England, deliberation, desired that this answer should be re which would enable the archbishop to take some public turned, that, as concerned their plan for a conference step ; prays for extension of his license of absence from of divines, he thought that men's minds were not yet his living, as he must remain the winter in Sweden in enough prepared, but recommended that a confession of order not to lose ground : lacks means of maintenance. faith should be composed, drawn from the fundamental (From Stockholm.) Noted in Laud's handwriting, “Rece. Nov. 18, 1637, [15.] 1637, Dec. 9. -John Durye to Sir Thos. Rowe. Has acquainted Oxenstirn with the contents of Sir bishop Laud. Is well advertised that the French King Thos. Rowe's letter, which had come just after the will attempt to enlarge himself upon the Rhine at the receipt of bad news from Pomerania; dined with the expense of the Palatinate, and if he once get a hold Chancellor and talked privately with him afterwards ; there, he will never give it up again. He would not the Chancellor then spoke of his regard for Sir Thos. venture this against the Germans without the conni Rowe, and of his former acquaintance with him in Gervance of the United Provinces, and if these two join many ; said that Sweden had gained little from her they will give the law to all their neighbours and prove allies, that she had been kept in suspense with pro. worse than the Spaniards, and there will be as little mises of help; but he did not expect much from Enghope for religion under the French as under the Aus land, whose interest it was to keep at peace, as she trian : the only remedy is in the power of the arch gained in trade, &c. by the incommodities of others; bishop, viz., “by uniting the churches to fortify the asked for Durye's opinion, which was that the King of “ temporal power of our friends, so that all should be England would send such help as would make his “ equally balanced and the proudest brought to mode nephew the Palatine respected ; with regard to Durye's “ ration;" has just received a letter from Mr. Durye, business of pacification, the Chancellor said that he and thanks the archbishop for the favour he has shown would try to restrain the boisterousness of the Bishop to him. From Bulwicke. of Westerose; had heard that Count Sleigh was to be Endorsed in Laud's handwriting, “Sir Thomas Roe Generalissimo of the Emperor, with powers almost as large as Wallenstein had enjoyed. Noted in Laud's handwriting, “Rece. Janua. 28, “ 1637. From Mr. Durye to Sir Tho. Rowe. His confe- “ rence with Oxenstirn about the affairs of Sweden in “ relation to England.” in the cause of peace ecclesiastical; bids him go on [16.] 1640, Sept.-Copy of the Petition of certain Peers and prosper under God's blessing; the arehbishop for presented to the King at York, praying him to call a his part will do all he can for a work so grateful to the Parliament. (See Parliamentary History, VIII., 491.] Anglican Church, though, publicly, nothing can be To the Kinges most Excellent Matie. done in a country so remote from the disputants; The humble Peticon of your Mats most loyall & on the behalfe of themselves and diuerse others. leaue to offer to yo' princely wisedome the apprehension HOUSE OF dangers whereof your Matie maye be pleased to take LORDS. notice are these : That yo' Maties sacred person is exposed to hazard & danger in the present expedition against the Scottish Army, and by reason of this warr your reuenew is much wasted, yor subiects burthened wth Coate & Conduct mony, billiting of Souldiers & other millitary charges, & diuerse rapines & disorders comitted in seuerall parts of this yo? Realme, by the Souldiers raysed for that seruise, & your whole kingedome become full of feares & discontents. The sundry inouacons in matters of Religion, the Oath & Cannons lately imposed upon the Clergie & other yo? Mats subiects. The great increase of Poperie & the Imploying Recusants & others ill affected in the Religion established by lawe in places of poure & trust, especially in comanding of men & armes, both in the field & sundry counties in this your Realme, whereas by the lawes they are not permitted to haue Armes in their owne houses. The great mischeifs that may fall upon this kingedome if intencons (which haue ben crediblely reported of bringing in of Irish & of forraigne forces) should take effect. The urging of Shippmoney & prosecacucon (sic) of some Sheriffs in the Starrchamber for not leueying it. The heauie Charges upon Merchandizes, to the discouragement of Trade, the multitude of Monopolies, & other patents whereby the Comodities & manufactures of the Kingedome are much burthened, to the great & uniuersall grievance of your people. The great greife of your Subiects by the long intermission of P’liams and the late & former dissoluing of such as have ben called wthout the happy effects wh otherwise they might haue produced. For the Remedie whereof & prevencon of the danger that may ensue to your Royall person & the whole State, They doe in all Humillity & faithfullnesse beseech your most excellent Matie that you will be pleased to sumon a P’liament within some short and convenient tyme, whereby the causes of these & other great greivances, wch yo? people lye under may be taken away, and the Authors & Councellors of them maye be there brought to such legall & condigne panishment as the nature of their severall offences shall require, And that the present Warr may be composed by your Mats wisedome wthout blood in such manner as may conduce to the hono" & safety of your Mats person, the comfort of your people, and the Realmes uniting of both yor Kingedomes against the com'on enemies of the reformed Religion. Nott. Lo. Wharton. Rutland. E. Warwicke. Lo. Willoughby. Hartford. E. Bulling 1: Nott. Lo. Mandevile. Lo. North. Lo. Brooke. Lo. Savill. Lo. Howard of Eskrigg. Endorsed. The Lords remonstrance-transc. [17.] 1640, Nov. 19.-Petition of the Earl of Strafford to be bailed and have counsels assigned him. L.J., IV., 93, in extenso. This petition and several other petitions of the Earl's are in his own handwriting. They are given in extenso in the Journals. [18.] 1640-41, Feb. 4.-Petition of John Goodman, , Feb. 4.--Petition of John Goodman, the condemned Roman Catholic priest, to the King. In the Lords' Journals, IV., 151, after the King's answer to the remonstrance of both Houses concerning dopery, in which Goodman's case is mentioned, foliows his note :-“ After this in the original there fol“ lows a petition from Goodman, the condemned “ priest, to the King, desiring that he might be given “ up to justice to cement the breach between him & his " people, but it is crossed, and therefore omitted here." ere." This is no doubt the petition there mentioned : “ To the King's most Excellent Matie. “ The humble petition of John Goodman, condemned, Humbly sheweth, " That whereas y' Mats petitioner hath understood of a greate discontent in many of y' Mats subjects at the grations mercy y Matie was freely pleased to showe unto ? petitioner by the suspendinge the execution of the sentence of death pronounced against y pet' for beinge à Roman preist. “ These are humbly to beseech yr Matie rather to remitt HOUSE OF LORDS y petitioner to theire mercyes that are discontented then to lett him liue the subiect of soe great discontent in yk people against yk Matie, for it hath pleased God to giue mee the grace to desire with the prophett that if this storme be raysed for me, I may bee cast into the sea, that others may avoyde the tempest. “This is (most sacred Soveraigne) the petition of him that should esteeme his bloud well shed te cement up the breach betweene yr Matie and y? subiects upon this occasion. Ita testatur, Noted, JOHANNES GOODMAN.” Lca., 4° Feb. 1640. 119.7 1640–41. Feb. 4. - Answers of Mr. Justice Barkley to the interrogatories touching ship-money. put to him in the case of the Lord Keeper Finch. A copy of the case, or opinion submitted to the judges, is annexed. Amongst the MSS. are also answers to the same interrogatories from Justices Croke, Crawley, and Trevor, and from Sir John Brampston, Chief Justice of the King's Bench. [20.] Sir Henry Vane's paper : “Quinto die Maij 1640. “b.b.t. Noe danger in vndertakeinge this warr. Whether the Scotte are to bee reduced or noe? To reduce them by force, as the state of this kingdome standes. ".Jf his Matie had not declared himselfe soe soone, hee would haue declared himselfe for noe warr wth Scotland, they would haue given him plentifully. - The city to bee called ymediatly and quickned to lend one hundred thousand pounde. The shipping mony may be putt vigorously vppon collection. These two waies will furnish his Matie plentifully, to goe on wth armes and warr for Scotland “ The manner of the Warr. “ Stoppinge of the trade of Scotland noe p'iudise, soe they had the trade free wth England for their cattell. “A defensiue warr, altogeather ag' it. “ Offensiue warr into the kingdome, his opinion fewe monthes will make an end of the warr. Doe you invade them. “ L. Ad.--Jf noe more mony then what proposed, howe then to make an offensiue warr, a difficultie whether to doe nothinge or to lett them , alone, or goe on wth a vigorous warr. “ LL. Jr.—Goe vigorously on or lett them alone, noe defensiue warr, losse of honor and reputacon. The quiett of England will hold out longe. You will languish as betwixt Saul & Dauid. “ Goe on wth a vigorous warr, as you first designed ; loose and obsolued from all rules of gou'ment, beinge reduced to extreame necessitie, everythinge is to bee done that power might admitt, and that you are to doe. “ They refuseinge, you are acquitted towards God and man, you haue an army in Jreland, you may imploy here to reduce this kingdome. “ Confident as anythinge vnder Heaven Scotland shall not hold out fiue monthes. One sumer well imployed will doe it. “ Whether a defensiue warr as impossible as an offensive, or whether to lett them alone. “L. Arch.-Tried all waies, and refused alwayes ; by the lawe of God you should haue subsistance, and ought to haue it, and lawfull to take it. “ L. Cott.-Leagues abroad they may make & will, and therefore the defence of this kingdome. “ The lower House are weary both of King and Church. All waies shall be iust to raise monies by this ynavoidable necessity, therefore, to bee vsed beinge lawful “ LL. Jr.-Comission of array to bee putt in execucon they are to bringe them to the borderes. Jn reason of State you haue power, when they are there to vse them at the Ks. paie if any of the lords can shewe you a better way lett them doe it. “ Ob.-Towne full of nobillity, whoe will talke of it. Hee will make them smarte for it." [Endorsed] “S[ir] H. Vaine's pap.” Nott. Lo. Lovelace. CALENDAR OF House of LORDS MANUSCRIPTS. 1450, May 16.--Charter of resignation and re-grant by James II., King of Scotland, settling the lands of Wedderburn upon David Hume and his wife Alice for life, with remainder in tail male. Parchment. In Latin. HOUSE OF LORDS. 1479, April 22. — Charter by Alexander, Duke of 2. Proviso to Act above mentioned. HOUSE OP Catlyn, Chief Justice of the Pleas, Speaker of the Upper 1573, Oct. 12.-Commission for prorogation of Par. liament. Signed by the Queen and sealed. L. J., II. 3. liament. Signed by the Queen, seal wanting. In ex- Parliament. Signed by the Queen, seal wanting. In Parliament. Signed by the Queen, seal wanting. See 1580, Nov. 4.—Commission for prorogation of Par- 1580, Nov. 24.--Commission for prorogation of Par- liament. Signed by the Queen and sealed. See L. J., | 1531.] Similar petition from Gloucester. II. 19. 1531. Similar petition from Bewdley. 1581, June 12.--Commission for prorogation of Par11531.Ī Similar petition from Stafford. liament. Signed by the Queen and sealed. See L. J., II. 57. “ of certain lands towards the maintenance of a free Parliament. Signed by the Queen, seal wanting. See liament. Signed by the Queen and sealed. See L. J., 1584, Dec. 1. — Draft of " An Act to make good “ grants and conveyances made by corporations, not- “ withstanding the misnaming or not true naming of " the said corporations.” Endorsed with dates of desire an authorised translation, which the Lords spiritual reading in H. C. C. J. wanting. could complete had they power to compel assistance The following endorsement on the Bill is crossed out: -" The late Parliament: Judge Dier drew out this “ Bill by the appointment of the higher house upon “ another Bill then there exhibited to the same effect, and deal touching the accomplishment of the work and “ and delivered the same Bill into the higher house, and may call for the assistance of students of either Univer “ there it was twice read, and before it could be read sity, and pay them out of monies to be levied on such “ the third time the Parliament brake up, which Bill “ was committed to the clerk of the Parliaments to “ keep until another Parliament." 1584, Dec. 4.--Draft of " An Act for the maintenance " Hebrew and Greek.” " of Navigation :” continues so much of certain Acts British subjects to export herrings and sea-fish free of duty “ in vessels with cross sails, as it is by experience “ found that the said Acts have been very good Acts Bakon, Lord Keeper, Speaker of the House. Signed by fr and greatly increased the navy and fishermen and the Queen and sealed. In extenso, L. J., I. 643. “ have caused many poor men to be set a work.” L. J., 1566, Dec. 10.-Draft preamble to Act of one fifteenth II. 68, &c. The Bill passed through all its stages, but and tenth granted by the temporalty. As amended did not receive the royal assent. verbatim the same as the Act, 8o Eliz. c. 18. Statutes, 1584, Dec. 4.-Draft of " An Act for the continuance fol. edition. “ of cloth making in the town of Boxstead in the county Annexed, “ of Essex.” With the exception of the addition of 1. Rejected draft of preceding. “ Langeham," this draft is verbatim, the same as the HOUSE OF LORDS. HOUSE OP Act for the Clothiers of Boxstead and Langeham. LORDS. 27 Eliz. c. 23. L. J., II. 68, &c. 1584, Dec. 7.-Draft of "An Act for the increase of " mariners :" all vessels with cross sails to have one seaman to every five tons of burthen: mariners to be allowed to take with them on each voyage merchandize of their own not exceeding in value the amount of their wages: all fishermen may fish in and upon sea-commons, that is, all such places in rivers, creeks, or bays as are covered by the water at high tide, without molestation from owners of the adjoining lands. L. J., II. 69, 70. Read 2a and committed, Dec. 9th, but no further proceeding is mentioned. 1584, Dec. 11.-Draft of “An Act against insufficient “ bails.” Endorsed "against insufficient bails in matters “ of felony, peace, and good behaviour. 11° Dec. 1584. “ The first reading." Not mentioned in L. J. C. J. wanting. 1584, Dec. 15.-Draft of " An Act for the good govern 1. Draft of Amendments to preceding. wanting. The Bill was brought from H. C. and read 1“ in H. L. 19th Dec. 1584. L. J., II. 76, but no further proceeding is mentioned. Annexed, 1. Proviso that the Act does not give license to any person imprisoned for debt, or under arrest for any other cause, nor to any wife, ward, or apprentice, to depart the realm, nor to Raleigh to take shipping, &c. without leave from the owners. Raleigh is spelt in six different ways in the draft and proviso. 1584. Copy of a Bill“ for the preservation of tillage,” against laying down in pasture land heretofore arable; continues certain Acts respecting the lands of monasteries, &c. granted to Henry VIII. and repeals others. Endorsed, Condemned by the Committees. Not mentioned in L. J. C. J. wanting. 1584. Copy of “ An Act for the avoiding of infectious " and corrupt air about the city of London :" regulates the slaughtering of beasts, &c., the removal of oftal, and sale of meat in and about the city of London. Not mentioned in L. J. C. J. wanting. 1584–5, Feb. 11.--Draft of " An Act for returning of “ sufficient jurors and for better expedition of trials.” L. J., II. 81, &c. 27 Eliz. c. 6. 1584-5, Feb. 11.-Draft of “ An Act for reformation “ of abuses in collection of issues lost by jurors." L.J., II. 81, &c. 27 Eliz. c. 7. Annexed, 1. Draft of an Act with same title and to same effect as preceeding. Noted, Vacat qr. nova. 1584-5, Feb. 16.— Draft of “An Act against the " making of glass by strangers and outlandish men " within the realm, and for the préservation of timber " and woods spoiled by glass houses." No alien to carry on the trade of glass making unless he employ and instruct one Englishman for every two foreigners; no one to carry on the trade or cut timber for the purpose of the trade within 22 miles of London, seven of Guildford, and four of Winchelsea, Rye and Pevensey, “ or the foot of the hills called the Downs of Sussex;" provisoes saving rights of certain persons under patent. L. J., II. 82. The Bill passed through all stages, but did not receive the royal assent. Annexed, 1. Draft of an Act with the same title, endorsed 9 Decr. 1584. No foreigners nor their children to carry on the trade of glass making in England, and no English subjects to pursue the trade within 30 miles of London. Endorsed, “ Vacat qr. “ nova." 1584–5, Feb. 22.-Draft of “ An Act for due trial of “ felonies and murders, and for the restraint of insuf“ficient justices of peace and sheriffs, and for the uni“formity of measures within the xii shires of Wales." Wrongdoers frequently escape punishment by trials being held in Herefordshire or Shropshire for offences committed in Wales; in future all trials to be held in the county in which the offence is committed ; sheriffs in Wales to take the oath before a duly appointed person and to give security for money coming to their hands; qualification to be required for the office of sheriff'; corn to be sold in Wales by the same measure as in England, i.e., eight gallons to the bushel, and an officer in every town to keep standard measures ; Act not to interfere with existing leases, &c. Endorsed with date of first reading in H. C. C. J. wanting. 1584-5, Feb. 25.-Draft of “ An Act against retailing " of linen cloth by aliens :" forbids aliens to sell any linen, &c. by retail in London or within three miles of it, or in any borough or market town in England, or to open or cut any piece of linen, &c. within the said limits, except for the purpose of working the same. Endorsed “ Rejected.” Not mentioned in L. J. C. J. wanting. 1584-5, March 6.-Draft of " An Act for the explana“ tion of a branch of a former Statute made in the 18th " year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Queen Eliza“ beth touching the amending of the highways between " Middleton and the King's Ferry in the county of “ Kent.” 27 Eliz. c. 26., fol. edit. "L. J., II. 93, &c. 1584-5, March 6.-Draft of “ An Act for the main“ tenance of Orford Haven in the county of Suffolk and " of a branch of that haven called the Gull, and for the “ preservation of the fry of the fish within the same “ haven.” 27 Eliz. c. 21., fol. edit. L. J., II. 93, &c. 1584-5, March 8.-Draft of “ An Act touching tan, “ ners, curriers, and shoemakers, and other artificers “ occupying the cutting of leather.” Recites an Act of the 5th year of Elizabeth on the same subject, the provisions of which having been found not only insufficient but rather “snares to such as meant well,” the Queen had by letters patent, with the advice of the Privy Council, authorised “a gentleman of worthy learning “ and integrity" to dispense with such parts of the Act as were impossible or burdensome rather than beneficial ; this had given rise to some "suspicion of “ private gain with public loss," he was therefore desirous of resigning the patent. The Act proceeds to repeal the recited Act, and proposes instead a number of very special provisions as to the carrying on of the trades of butchers, tanners, curriers, cordwainers, and shoemakers; and for the “searching and sealing" of leather by persons duly appointed. Not mentioned in L. J., but endorsed with date of first reading in H. C. J. wanting. 1584-5, March 10.-Draft of “An Act for provision " to be made for the surety of the Queen's Majesty's “ most royal person and the continuance of the realm “ in peace.” 27 Eliz. c. 1. L. J., II. 95, &c. Annexed, 1. Draft of “ An Act for provision to be made for “ the surety of the Queen's Majesty's person and " the good estate of the realm." 1584, Dec. 14, Noted, “ Vacat qr. nova." C. J. wanting. 1584-5, March 10.- Draft of “ An Act against the “ delay of executions.” Executions for debt or damage not to be stayed in future though a writ of error be depending. Read 2*, March 16. No further proceeding. L. J., II. 95, 100. 1584-5, March 10.-Draft of “An Act touching tan"ners, curriers, shoemakers, and other artificers occupy“ ing the cutting of leather:" against the buying of tanned leather for the purpose of selling it again at an increased rate ; no person to sell tanned leather |