The case of the orphans and creditors of the city of London:

The Proposition of Mr. Reading made on the 17th. of January 1687. To the Right Honourable Sir John Shorter Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen, on Behalf of 1400 Orphans of the City of London.

SEveral of the Orphans to whom great Summes were due from your Chamber dying in Prison and Starving for Want; and their Friends not able to get Money out of your Chamber to Bury them. And upon the 18th. of December last, several Widows being told by you in Court, that you could not pay them half a Crown per Pound; and many offering to take six Shillings per Pound: And Importuning Mr. Reading, who had long been their Councel, to study their Relief: And a Petition having been presented to your Honourable Court the 19th. following, purporting his having happily discover'd a way to Enable you to pay them their Principal and Interest. And their ha∣ving Subscrib'd an Agreement for allowing him five Shillings per Pound for a Reward; and praying your Referring his Proposals to the Consideration of a Committee: But the same being put off to the 22th following; and he then being violently Oppos'd and Discourag'd therein, and Order'd to bring his Proposals in Writing upon this day: And thereupon divers refusing to Subscribe to the said Agreement, though they had Faithfully promis'd it: And others Unconscionably de∣signing to take the advantage of the said Proposals; and not to give him any Reward; and thereby Obstructing his Proceedings thereup∣on, not only to their own, but to the Damage of others also.

And he being ready to make out the certainty and the particulars of his Proposals, to the everlasting Renown of His Majesties Charity to the said Orphans, and to the great Advantage of the City also: In case your Court, will according to their Oaths and Trust, do what in you lyes to the Encouragement of the said Subscriptions.

Mr. Reading proposeth, thas upon your Ordering this day such En∣couragement to be given, that Subscriptions may be gain'd to half the Sum due to the said Orphans, which long since would have been done, had it not been obstructed,

He will in the presence of the Right Honourable the Earl of Castle∣main, Sir Nicholas Butler, the Kings Vice-Chamberlain and Mr. Brent on the behalf of His Majesty; and of Sir William Turner, Sir William Prichard, Sir Peter Rich, and Mr. Alderman Herne on the behalf of the said Orphans, fully and plainly discover to the Committee for your Revenues.

First, How you may make an Honourable Provision for the Support of the Covernment of the City.

Secondly, How that being Establish'd, you are Enabled to pay the said Or∣phans.

Thirdly, And lastly, How to raise a Noble Fund for your Chamber; and to pay its other Debts.

In order whereunto, he proposeth that no new Lease be made un∣der the City Seal, before the said Honourable Persons have the Offer thereof, for the Benefit of the said Orphans: And that in the presence of the Keeper of your Records, he may have Liberty to Inspect them, in order to the making it manifest to your Selves; that you have such powers to pay the said Orphans.

In case of Non-complyance herewith, Mr. Reading declares, That he will never attend you more therein; but take such other Mea∣sures for Relieving the said Orphans, as His Majesty shall please to direct.