The answer of the chancellor, masters and scholars of the Vniversity of Oxford, to the petition, articles of grievance, and reasons of the city of Oxon presented to the honorable committee for regulating the University of Oxford the 24. of July, 1649.

VIII. To the Reasons of the eight Grievance We Answer,

1. That the Vniversity, by ancient Custome con∣firmed by Act of Parliament, have used to make By-lawes for the better ordering and government of the Vniversity and Schollars therein; which By-lawes bind not only Schollars but Tradesmen also in rela∣tion to the Ordering and Government of Schollars and not otherwise•• And this power is adjudged in diverse Booke-cases to be binding unto strangers in the like cases, albeit they never actually consented by themselves or any immediate Representatives to the making of such By-Lawes.

2. That the Petitioners themselves in other ca∣ses, doe both claime and exercise a like power over the Estates and Persons of diverse Inhabitants in Oxon not of their Corporation, nor any waies privy or consenting to their Orders either by themselves or any Representatives.

3. As to the instance concerning Taylors, we an∣swer as before, That we have not made any By-lawes concerning them but in relation to the Go∣vernment of Schollars; and we conceive it in conve∣nient

that it sh••uld be in the power of Tailors to in∣veagle young Gentlemen into new and chargeable fashions in Apparell, contrary to the desires of their Parents, the direction of their Tutors, and the pub∣lique Discipline and Order of the Vniversity, meer∣ly to enhanse their own prices in the making, and the Mercers gaines in the selling, of such deare but unnecessary trimmings as this instance relates unto: And we say farther, That we know none more guil∣ty of the Grievance here objected to the Vniversity then the Tailors of Oxford themselves are.