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THE COMPANY'S CASE Briefly Stated.
MOST part of the said Company's Revenue is charged with yearly Charities to several Parishes, Places, and Ʋses, amounting to near the yearly Profits they receive; most part whereof consisted of Houses in London, which were all consumed by the late dreadful Fire, when they expected to have ad∣vanced great Summs of Money, by way of Fines, on renewing of Leases, towards Payment of their Debts.
They had also heretofore many and great Summs of Money paid into their Hands, as a Fund for the Ʋses following, (viz.)
To pay yearly Summs in Coals, Faggots, and Money, to several Parishes and Wards about London, and elsewhere.
To several Prisons for Redemption and Release of Prisoners,
To the Poor Members of the Company.
To be lent to Young Men that had served their Times to Members of this Com∣pany on Security, with little or no Interest, to set up, and to be returned again.
To buy Impropriations, for maintenance of Ministers, where their Livings are small. And
To maintain several Schools and Alms-Houses.
They complyed punctually with all their Trusts, continuing in very great Credit and Reputation, until the sad Effects of War and Fire rendred them uncapable to discharge their yearly Charities, where they have no Fund left. And
The remaining part of their great Debts which they contracted, as followeth, viz.
Anno 1640. To accommodate the late King Charles the First, in his Exigencies, on Security of some of his Peers, — 4500 l.
Anno 1642. To Subdue the Rebellion in Ireland, and Relieve his said late Ma∣jesty's Protestant Subjects there in distress, — 9000 l.
Anno 1643. They were compelled to lend the City, for which they had their Common Seal, — 4500 l.
All which they took up on the Company's Seal, nor were singular therein, but necessitated thereto, in compliance with all other Companies, and indeed with the whole City.