GRIEVANCE DISCOVERED, IN RELATION TO THE COAL TRADE; WITH THE MAP OF THE RIVER OF TINE, AND SITUATION OF THE OF NEWCASTLE: THE TYRANNICAL OPPRESSION OF THOSE MAGISTRATES, SEVERAL TRYALS, DEPOSITIONS, AND JUDGEMENTS OBTAINED AGAINST THEM; WITH A BREVIATE OF SEVERAL STATUTES PROVING REPUGNANT TO THEIR GRANTS APPEARING IN THIS BOOK. BY RALPH GARDINER, OF CHIRTON, IN THE COUNTY OF NORTHUMBERLAND, GENT. LONDON: PRINTED FOR R. IBBITSON, IN SMITHFIeld, AND NEWCASTLE: REPRINTED BY D. AKENHEAD AND SONS, FRONTING Transport. EDITORS' ADDRESS. HEN we view the numerous improvements made, within the space of a few years, in many harbours of this kingdom, by the fpirited exertions of individuals, and the amazing increase of the towns of these respective ports, in wealth and magnitude, the mind is forcibly impreffed with an high fense of the great advantages derived therefrom. The extenfive coal-mines of this country have caused this port always to be considered of the first confequence; not only on account of a great part of the kingdom being fupplied therefrom with that neceffary article, but for the immenfe number of ships, neceffarily employed, being the first nursery for feamen in the ifland; and when we reflect that the increafing trade and affluence of this town and port, depend fo much upon the preservation of the river, the serious attention of all concerned therein, ought certainly at all times to be directed to every improvement it is capable of receiving. The design of the liberal author of the following ingenious work, hath been, it evidently appears, to evince the utility of fuch improvements in this country; country; as well as to remove many remove many exifting grievances of that period; on which important fubjects, no one has more eminently diftinguished himfelf. After fome degree of difficulty in our fearch for it, we have been favoured with an original copy; and being repeatedly folicited thereto, by a number of refpectable gentlemen, have reprinted the whole verbatim, with exact fac fimiles of the author's map of the river, and curious prints, together with portraits of the refpective kings and queens, &c. and now offer it to the public on as reasonable terms as the nature of such chargeable undertakings will admit of. Newcastle, Oct. 29, 1796. FOR FOR HIS HIGHNESS OLIVER, LORD PROTECTOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HIGHNESS, THE HE nation, finding your fatherly care over them, in the well ordering, and governing, according to the laws, ftatutes, and cuftoms; endeavoring peace, caufing juftice and law to be equally adminiftred, have caufe, and do blefs God for the fame. Upon ferious confideration whereof, I fhall not dare, or presume to use arguments, to induce your highness, to lend an ear, to hear the nations grievance, or what may be prefented for its good; but do humbly prefent herein, fome collections of records, taken out of moft judicatures, concerning the abufe of the coal-trade, the burrough, and corporation of Newcastle upon Tine, its charters, evidences, and depofitions; proving thereby general wrongs, and infupportable burdens, viz. Firft, forcing people to lofe their lives, others to fwear against themselves, others to cut purfes in their courts for gain, and all to themselves; illegal A 2 and |