The Scituation of Little Yarmouth, and Priviledges granted by his Majesty, the King of England, to his own Subjects, and the Subjects of Holland.
THe Town of Little Yarmouth, heretofore called South-Town, was an Incorporate Town before Great Yarmouth, and did enjoy several priviledges, as the lading and unlading Merchandise, and of exporting and importing all kinde of Merchandise; which made the said Town in a very flourishing condition. But the Town of Great Yarmouth, by their much greater power, procured several Grants and Letters Patents, upon some plausible and specious pretences, whereby they appropriated to the Free-men of Great Yarmouth, the Monopoly of Lading and Unlading all sorts of Merchandise within s〈…〉〈…〉 miles of Great Yarmouth; which occasioned the said Town in a short time to decay, and to be forsaken by her Inhabitants. But so it is, that it hath pleased the King, by an Act of Parliament, made in the sixteenth and seventeenth year of his Reign, intituled, An Act for setling of differences between the said Towns, touching the Lading and Ʋnlading of Herrings, and other Merchandise as also his Majesty, by his Letters Patents dated th••••tenth of February in the twentieth year of his Re〈…〉〈…〉 By both which is granted and confirmed to those, which are or shall be Inhabitants of Little Yarmouth, their Ancient Priviledges; and that any persons, by inhabiting there, are to enjoy all the Ancient Priviledges of this place, and to be equal partakers of all the Priviledges granted to the Free-men of Great Yarmouth; and are, by their inhabiting there, Free-men of both Towns: which Freedom is rated by the Free-men of Great Yar∣mouth, at 30 l. 40 l. or 50 l.
His Majesty hath by his Gracious Declaration, bearing date the twelfth day of June, 1672. granted to the Subjects of the Ʋnited Provinces of the Low-Countries, as followeth:
First, That all such Subjects, of what Profession, Rank or Condition soever, shall have leave to transport themselves to what part of England they please, in what Ships they will, without any seisure or molestation.
Secondly, That all such persons arrived in England, shall be free in their Estates and Persons, with li∣berty to settle themselves and Families where they please, and have Liberty of Conscience, as to matters in Religion; and to enjoy all Priviledges of his own Subjects, and to pay no more Duties or Customs then his Majesties Subjects.
Thirdly, That his Majesty at next Sessions of Parliament will Naturalize them, their Children, and Ser∣vants; and are immediately made Denizens of England, without charge or trouble.
Fourthly, All their Ships, Boats, Busses, and other Vessels, shall be accounted as English-built, and enjoy the same Priviledges in Trade and Customs.
Fifthly, All Dutch Seamen, Marriners, Fisher-men, Shipwrights, Carpenters, and other Artificers relating to Shipping, or Sea-Affairs, shall be and remain free and exempt from any Press.
Sixthly, That his Majesty will grant free Passes and Convoys to all Persons, Families, and their Goods, as shall transport themselves.
This place, as it's Staked out to be Built, is far more convenient for Trade then Great Yarmouth, in respect of its Uniformity, and lying upon the Haven, and for the conveniencies of wide Streets and Lanes for Carriages; and for that there is such a depth allowed to every house, and fresh water.