The antiquity, legality, reason, duty and necessity of præ-emption and prourveyance, for the King, or, Compositions for his pourveyance as they were used and taken for the provisions of the Kings household, the small charge and burthen thereof to the people, and the many for the author, great mischiefs and inconveniences which will inevitably follow the taking of them away / by Fabian Philipps.

CHAP. VI. The small charge of the Pourveyance or Compositions for it, to or upon such of the people as were chargeable with it.

AS may evidently and undeniably appear by the Compositions for Pourveyance which were a∣greed to be paid by the several Counties, As,

For the County of Anglisey in Wales which hath eighty three Parishes, but five pounds, which is for every Parish not one shilling three pence, it being com∣monly in every County charged onely upon the Lands of inheritance of the greater size or quantity, (not upon Copyholders or small Freeholders) and upon those kind of Lands which were most proper for it and could better afford it as Wheat, Malt, &c. upon Errable Lands and Cattel upon Pasture, &c.

For the County of Mountgomery who we••e to pro∣vide yearly but twenty Sturks or smaller sized Cattle so called, or sixty pounds per annum, and had Fifty four Parishes, whereof five or six were Borough Towns, which made the charge upon every Parish to be little more then twenty shillings per annum.

All the charge of the Compositions for the Kings provisions being onely of one hundred and eighty Sturks in Wales and its thirteen shires or Counties which costes that Dominion yeerly no more then three hun∣dred and sixty pounds.

The County of Worcester which hath one hundred and fifty two Parishes, paid but four hundred ninety five pounds besides the Kings p••ice or rate allowed for provisions served in kinde, which is but three pounds and seven shillings or thereabouts to be assessed upon every Parish.

Derbyshire having one hundred and six Parishes, paid but two hundred fifty four pounds two shillings two pence, which is something less then fifty shillings upon every Parish.

Yorkeshire, which hath four hundred fifty nine Parishes, besides many large Chapelries was charged with no more then four hundred ninety five pounds, which was not two and twenty shillings upon every Parish one with another, and would not be six pence a year upon every house one with another, if no respect were to be had to the real or personal Estates of the proprietors which admits of large differences or proportions more or less then one another.

The County of Midlesex having seventy three Parishes, besides what are in the London Suburbes, paid but nine hundred seventeen pound nineteen shillings, which by her great benefits by the Kings constant residence in it, is in a better condition with her few but v••ry plentiful and numerous Parishes, then the Counties further distant, and by the letting and setting of their Lands, Houses, and Lodgings, and the great rates and prices of all the Commodities which they sell to other people gain∣eth fourty to one at the least of what they loose by the Kings prices for his Pourveyance or houshold provisi∣ons, the City of Westminster, and the Suburb Parishes of London, consisting more of houses then Lands or

Pasture and being not at all charged or troubled wi•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The County of Essex paid for Composition but two thousand nine hundred thirty one pounds two shillings and two p••nce, and having many of the benefits which Midlesex enjoyeth far exceed∣ing the charge of the Compositions for Pourveyance, hath four hundred and fifteen Parishes, which is little more then seven pound five shillings upon every Parish chargeable, for the Compositions and provisions served in kinde.

Bedfordshire which hath one hundred and sixteen Pa∣rishes, paid but four hundred ninty seven pounds eight shillings four pence, which was but four pounds five shil∣lings nine pence upon every Parish.

The County of Buckingham which hath one hundred eighty five Parishes, two thousand fourty pounds sixteen shillings and six pence, which was but some∣thing more then eleven pounds upon every Parish one with another.

Berkshire having one hundred and fourty Parishes, but one thousand two hundred and fifty five pounds seven∣teen shillings and eight pence, which did not charge every Parish with nine pounds per annum.

Cheshire having sixty eight Parishes and furn••shing but 25. lean Oxen at the Kings price - 2l.—13s.-4d. a peice Total—66 l.—13 s.—4 d. at the Market price— 6 ••.—10 s. Total—162 l.—10 s.—0. Difference—95 l. 16 s.—8 d. was not thereby charged with more then one pound nine shillings upon every parish.

Cornewall having an hundred sixty one Parishes, and furnishing but Ten fat Oxen at the Kings price—4 l. Total

••0 l. Market price—10 l. Total—100 l. Difference—60l. did bear not so great a contribution as eight shillings upon every Parish.

The County of Devon having three hundred ninty four Parishes, and furnishing but Ten fat Oxen at the Kings price—4 l. Total—40 l. Market price—10 l. Total —100l. Difference—60 l. Muttons fat 150. at the Kings price—6 s.—8 d. Total—50 l. Market price—18 s. To∣tal—135l. Difference—85l. paid no greater a sum in that yearly Composition then ten shillings upon every parish.

Gloucestershire which hath two hundred and eighty parishes paid but four hundred twenty two pounds se∣ven shillings eight pence, which was not one pound ele∣ven shillings upon every parish.

Hertfordshire numbering one hundred and twen∣ty parishes, paid but one thousand two hundred fifty nine pounds ninteen shillings four pence, which laid upon every parish but abou•• ten pounds ten shil∣lings.

Herefordshire furnishing but 18. fat Oxen at the Kings price—4 l. Total—72 l. Market price—10 l. Total—180l. Difference—108 l. and having one hundred seventy six par••shes, made every one of them a contributary of no more then about twelve shil••ings six pence upon every parish.

Kent having three hundred ninety eight parishes, and being a very great gainer by the Kings so constant abode in his Chamber of London, more then its charge of Pourvey••nce amounted unto, paid but three thousand three hundred thirty four pounds and six shillings, which laid upon ever parish for Composi••ions for the Pour∣veyance,

no more then about eight pounds ten shil∣lings.

Lincolnshire which hath six hundred and thirty parishes, and paid but one thousand one hundred seventy five pounds thirteen sh••llings and eight pence, charged every parish with no more then about nineteen sh••llings six pence, or thereabouts.

The County of Northampton having three hundred twenty six parishes, and being like to be no looser by its gainful vicinity to London, and the Royal Residence, paid no more towards the Pourveyance and Compositi∣ons then nine hundred nine••y three pounds eighteen shillings four pence, which was for every parish very little more then three pounds.

The County of Norfolke having six hundred and six∣ty parishes, paid but one thousand ninety three pounds two shillings and eight pence, which charged e∣very parish not with one pound eleven shillings.

Somersetshire which hath three hundred eighty five parish••s, and paid no more then seven hundred fifty five pounds fourteen sh••llings eight pence, laid no grea∣ter a leavy for the Composition for Pourveyance upon every Parish then about fourty shillings.

The County of Surry having one hundred and fourty parishes, and paid no more then one thousand seventy nine pounds three pence, rendered every parish a contributer for the Pourveyance of not above seven pounds nineteen shillings.

The County of Sussex which hath one hundred and twelve parishes, and paid no more to that kind of con∣tribution then one thousand and sixteen pounds two

shillings six pence, makes every Parish to be charged with no greater a sum or proportion then three pounds thirteen shillings six pence or thereabouts.

And London which is and hath been the greatest gainer by the residence of the King and his principal Courts of Justice at Westminster, and by the confluence of the people, not onely of this Nation, but many Merchants and people from all parts of the Christian word, is grown to be the grand Emporium and Town of Trade in England, mighty and strong in shipping, a Merchant-like Tyrus for many Isles, and as great and famous as any City or Mart Town of the World, to whom all the Ships of the Sea with their Mariners do bring their Merchandize; the most of Nations are her Merchants by reason of the multitude of the Wares, of her making; and with the multitude of her riches and Merchandize makes all the other parts, Counties, Ci∣ties, and Borough Towns of the Kingdom, as to riches, money, and Trade, her vassals and retailers, doth for all these benefits contribute with the out Ports only for the Kings Grocery ware, which if it could be called a contribution, did in some years amount according to the full price but unto two thousand pounds per an∣num, and in other years but unto sixteen hundred pounds or there abouts, and is raised and charged by way of Impost upon the gross quantites of such kinde of Merchandise; and being repayed the Merchant by the retailer, and by the buyer to the retailer, was no more in the fifth year of the Raign of King Charles the fi••st in the Impost or Rates of Composition then as followeth, viz.

Rates of Composition for Grocery wares for his Majesties House.

• Pepper The hundred pound xviii. d.
• Cloves The hundred pound xviii. d.
• Mace The hundred pound xviii. d.
• Nutmeggs The hundred pound xviii. d.
• Cynamon The hundred pound xviii. d.
• Ginger the hundred pound xii. d.
• Raisons of the Sun the hundred waight iii. d.
• Raisons great the piece i. d. ob.
• Proyns the Tun xvi. d.
• Almonds the hundred waight v. d.
• Corrants the Tun ii. s.
• Sweet oyle the Pipe iii. s.
• Sugar refined the hundred waight viii. d.
• Sugar, powder, and Mukovadoes the C. waight v. d.
• The Chest xx. d.
• Sugar corse and paneles the C. waight iii. d.
• Figges the Barrell i. d.
• Figges the Piece ob. q.
• Figges the Topnet ob.
• Dates the hundred waight viii. d.
• Rice the hundred waight iiii. d. ob.
• Olives the Tun iiii. s.
• Castel and all other hard Soap the C. waight vi. d.
• Anniseeds the hundred waight ii. d.
• Licorish the hundred waight ii. d.

And so petit as in a pound of Raisins of the Sunne now sold for four pence a pound, it

falls to be less then the eighth or tenth part of a far∣thing increase of price in every pound of Raisins of the Sun.

And as inconsiderable in the charge or burden of it, laid upon the Grocers or Retailers as that of their pack-thred and brown paper, which in the vent of those com∣modities and accommodation of Customers are freely and willingly given into the bargain.

And when the Brewers in London, and four miles a∣bout, did before the granting of the Excise upon Ale and Beer, and taking away of the Pourveyances or Composition for them, pay four pence in every quar∣tet of Malt which they Brewed, the Composition thereof amounting but unto three thousand five hund∣ed pounds per annum, being now remitted and not paid by reason of the said Excise, that yearly Impost or Com∣position, did not onely lye upon the Brewers, but was dispersed and laid upon all their Customers and Inhabi∣tants of London, who paying for it in the smalness of their Ale and Beer and of the measure, were notwithstanding no loosers by it, when as the damage that the poorest sort of house-keepers received thereby, came not, when their gains were least, unto the twentieth penny nor of the richer, to the hundreth or two hundreth peny of what they gained by the Kings residence, by trade, letting, of lodgings, or the greater rent of their houses; and if the Brewer had paid it himself, and not laid it upon his Customers, might for his pri∣viledge in Brewing in the Cities of London and West••minster, and not being removed or punished for the Nuisance, have very well afforded so small a sum as four pence in every quarter of Mault, containing 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

Berkshire, Cheshire, Cornewall, Devonshire, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Herefordshire, Kent, Northampton, Norfolk, Somersetshire, Surrey, Sussex and London, may give the prospect of the rest) and how small the proportions were, which were charged upon such as were to bear or pay them, may make it appear that that so much now of late complained of charge of Pourveyance or Compositions for them will be so little as there will be no cause at all for it, when as the yearly charge of buying Babies, Hobby horses, and Toys for children to spoil as well as play with (which costs England, as hath been computed, near one hundred thousand pounds per annum) or of amending the High ways, yearly Treatments given to Harvest Folk, or the expences of an Harvest Goose, and a Seed Cake given yearly to their Plow-men, keeping a Wake or Parish Feast every year, or the monyes which the good Women in eve∣ry Parish and County, do expend in their Gosshippings, at the birth of their Neighbours Children, or many other such like trivial and most cheerful and pleasing expences, will make the foot of the accompt as to the several kinds of those particulars to be a great deal more then the charge of that necessary duty of Pour∣veyance or Compositions for them which was so ••a∣sy and petit as in most of the Counties of England, it was many times not singly rated or assessed by it self, but was joyned with some other Assessements, and in Kent, where more was paid then in any one County near London, it was so little felt and regarded, as a Tenant paying one hundred pounds rent per annum, for his Land, did not think it to be of any concernment for him to reckon it to his Landlord, and demand an allowance for it.

Which caused the people of Oxfordshire, Barkshire, Wiltshire, and Hampshire, upon his now Majesties most happy restoration, receiving his gracious letters, of∣fering them the Election of suffering him to take his Prae-emption and Pourveyance, or to pay the Compositi∣ons, to return answer by their letters, which were read before the King in his Compting-house in White-Hall, that they humbly desired him to accept of the Compositions.

And all the other Counties and the generality of the people of the smaller as well as greater Intelle∣ctuals, to understand it to be so much for the good of the King & his People, as many of them are troubled and discontented that he hath them not.

And they who causing the Markets and the prices of things to be so unreasonably dear and excessive by their own raising of prices for their own advantages, may when they please make the difference betwixt the Kings rates and theirs to be none at all, or much lesser if they would but sell as cheap as they might af∣ford their commodities according to the plenty of Victuals, or provisions which is in England. The high prices and rates which are now put upon Victuals and Provisions for Food and House-keeping being neither enforced nor occasioned by any plenty of Gold or Silver in England, and if there were any such store or abundance of it, non causatur effective, cujus ef∣fectus est necessarius nisi aliunde impediatur, could not be so the sole or proper cause of it, as if not otherwise hindered it could not want its necessary effect.

Berkshire, Cheshire, Cornewall, Devonshire, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Herefordshire, Kent, Northampton, Norfolk, Somersetshire, Surrey, Sussex and London, may g••ve the prospect of the rest) and how small the proportions were which were charged upon such as were to bear or pay them.

That so much now of late complained of charge of Pourveyance or Compositions fo•• them will be so little as there will be no cause at all for it, when as the yearly charge of buying Babies, Hobby-horses, and Toys for chil∣dren to spoil aswell as play with (which costes England, as hath been computed near one hundred thousand pounds per annum) or of amending the High ways, yeerly Treatments given to Harvest Folk, or the expences of an Harvest Goose, and a Seed Cake given yearly to their Plowmen, keeping a Wake or Parish Feast every year▪ or many other such like trivial and most cheerful and pleasing expences will make the foot of the accompt as to the several kinds of those particulars to be a great deal more then the charge of that necessary duty of Pourveyance or Compositions for them which was so easie and petit as in most of the Counties of Eng∣land, it was many times not singly rated or assessed by it self, but was joyned with some other Assessements▪ and in Kent where more was paid then in any one County near London, it was so little felt and regarded as a Tenant paying one hundred pounds rent per an∣num, for his Land, did not think it to be of any con∣cernment for him to reckon it to his Landlord, and demand an allowance for it.

And the people of Oxfordshire, Barkshire, Wiltshire, and Hampshire upon his now Majesties most happy re∣storation,

receiving his gracious letters, offering them the Election of suffering him to take his Prae-emption and Pourveyance, or to pay the Compositions, return∣ed answer by their letters, which were read before the King in his Compting house in Whitehall, that they humbly desired him to accept of the Composi∣tions.

And all the other Counties and the generality of the people of the smaller as well as greater Intellectuals do understand it to be so much for the good of the King and the people, as many of them are troubled and discontented that he hath them not.

And they who causing the Markets and the prices of things to be so unreasonably dear and excessive by their own raising of prices for their own advantages, may when they please make the difference betwixt the Kings rates and theirs to be none at all, or much lesser if they would but sell as cheap as they might afford their com∣modities according to the plenty of Victuals, or pro∣visions which is in England. The high prices and rates which are now put upon Victuals and Provisions for Food and house-keeping being neither enforced nor occasioned by any plenty of Gold or Silver in England, and if there were any such store or abundance of it, non causatur effective, cujus effectus est necessarius nisi aliunde impediatur, could not be so the sole or proper cause of it, as if not otherwise hindered it could not want its necessary effect.