ERRATA. VOL. III. 1-4 omit all the words within the parenthesis. VOL. V. 2 (up) after "manuscript," insert "which is all fairly written in his own hand." 7 (up) 396 Hellwysse add to note at bottom "See a fuller copy of these reports printed in Peck's Desiderata Curiosa, Vol. I, p. 213. LETTERS AND LIFE OF FRANCIS BACON. BOOK VI. CHAPTER I. A.D. 1616. JULY-AUGUST. ÆTAT. 56. 1. "STAPLE (Stapulum)," says Cowell, in his 'Interpreter," "signifieth this or that town or city, whither the merchants of England by common order or commandment did carry their wools, wool fells, cloaths, lead and tin, and such like commodities of our land, for the utterance of them by the great." These towns were provided with tribunals for the regulation of the trade; and the privilege, which was conferred at the pleasure of the crown by letters patent, had been "in times past," says Coke, so renowned and beneficial, as it enriched every place where it was holden, and it was commonly said that riches followed the Staple."1 Ireland had at this time only four such towns, all in the south; and upon complaint made that "great quantities of wools were exported out of that realm into foreign parts, to the exceeding prejudice of the clothing of this kingdom," directions were given by the Council to Chichester, St. John, and others "to consider as well of such ports in the realm of Ireland from whence only wools should be shipped into England, as also of such ports in England to which only the wools of Ireland should be brought." This was accordingly done; and certain places having been recommended by them for erection into Staple Towns, "forasmuch as the business was of great consequence and had relation to matter of law," it was thought necessary before proceeding further to consult the Attorney General. The report was 1 Instit.,-part iii. c. 46. VOL. VI. B accordingly referred to Bacon on the 13th of July 1616, who on the 22nd returned the following certificate. MR. ATTORNEY'S CERTIFICATE TOUCHING THE WOOLS OF IRELAND.1 According to your Lps reference of the 13th of this instant July, I have considered of the certificate of the Lord Chichester, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Alderman Cockaine, and George Lowe, concerning restraint of exportation of wools, woollen yarn, etc. out of Ireland into foreign parts. And I do approve the said certificate with the explanations, alterations, and provisions following. 1. First, that the five Towns named in the certificate as staple towns in England be not understood to receive any new charters or privileges of staple, but only be understood to be towns correspondent for the receiving of wools, etc. out of the staple towns of Ireland, without any other novelty. 2. Secondly, that whereas of the eight towns of Ireland mentioned in the certificate, four of them are ancient staple towns, viz.: Dublin, Waterford, Corke, Drogheda, and one is made a staple town by a late charter from his Majesty, viz.: Limbricke, and three are not yet erected to be staple towns, viz. : Gallway, Knockfergus, and London Derry; it is fit that the three towns which have yet no charter of staples, have charters to erect them into staple towns only for these commodities. And it is convenient also that the four other ancient staple towns, and Limbricke, either by accepting of new charters or otherwise by order of the Council of State there, be reduced to be conform unto the orders which shall now be prescribed for the staple, to the end there may be one uniform course held in all the eight towns. 3. Thirdly, that the orders and privileges of all the said charters be considered of and framed here in England, and also the charters thereupon to pass here. 4. Fourthly, that whereas part of the commodities mentioned in the said certificate are expressly forbidden by the sta 1 S. P. Ireland, vol. 234. no. 19. Original. The heading is from the docket. tutes of Ireland to be exported, viz.: wools and woolfells; and part of them are doubtful whether they be comprehended in the statutes or no, viz. : morlins, sherlings,1 lamb-skins, and woollen yarn ; 'twere very fit there were a general proclamation for the restraint of the exportation of all those particulars, as well for the corroboration of the law where it is clear as for the supply of the same where it is doubtful; and so the orders of the staple to work equally upon all. 5. Fifthly, whereas it is mentioned in the certificate that if the four ancient towns shall refuse the reception of any of his Maty's subjects into their society, then my L. Deputy to transfer the staple of wool, etc. to such other four towns as his Lordship shall think fit; This is to be understood that in case of such refusal the town refusing shall be excluded of the benefit of the non obstante or privilege to export; for otherwise that that they have already by charter cannot be transferred. And the like I would wish to be done if they will not conform themselves to the King's order for the staple of wools. 6. Lastly, all the staple towns must have in their charters a non obstante of the statutes made against the exportation of wools, etc. as well such as make it felony as otherwise. And also the forfeiture which by statute is given to the towns must be released. There would be also good care taken that the fine of the admittance into the staplers' company be not great, and that none come in but merchants. July 22d. 1616. FR. BACON. Of the proceedings taken in pursuance of this certificate we shall hear more a little further on. 2. The removal of Somerset left the course clear for the gracing of Villiers; and that wonderful upward career, begun so early, continued so long, and earned with so little effort or sacrifice on his own part--for it seems that he had only to be himself in order to be 1 "Shorling and morling seem to be words to distinguish fells of sheep; as if shorting should signify the fells after the fleeces be shorn off the sheep's back, and molring the fells flean off after they be killed or die alone."-Cowell's Interpreter. |