appointed in such form as hereafter in these presents touching the same is likewise expressed which shall be called the Wardens of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time Being Eight Assistants And also that there shall be from henceforth for ever Eight of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to be elected and appointed in such form as hereafter in these presents touching the same is also expressed which shall be called the Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being And also there shall be from henceforth for ever Eighteen Elder Brethren Eighteen besides the said Master Wardens and Assistants for the time being who are and shall be also Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to be elected and appointed in such manner as hereafter in these Presents touching the same is also expressed which shall be called the Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being And also that there shall be from henceforth for ever one Person And a Clerk who shall be called the Clerk of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood And for the better execution and accomplishment of this our Will and Grant in that behalf We have Assigned Their first Master nominated constituted and made and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do assign nominate constitute and make our trusty and well beloved Samuel Pepys Esquire Secretary of our Admiralty of England to be the first and present Master of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to continue in the said Office by himself or his sufficient Deputy His Deputy and how chosen the said Deputy to be always Elected Chosen and Sworn by the Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the more part of them by themselves or their said Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Wardens or Wardens Deputy to be alwayes some in manner and form as hereafter in these presents touching the same shall be limited and appointed from henceforth until the Morrow after Trinity Sunday Determination of his Office commonly called Trinity Munday now next coming and so from thence forward in default of a new Election or Choice then to be made of another Master until himself or some other of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood shall in due manner according to the intent and true meaning of these Presents be Chosen and Sworn unto the said Office or Place of Master according to the Ordinances and Provisions hereafter in these presents touching the same expressed and declared if the said Samuel Pepys shall so long live And also We have assigned nominated The four first Wardens constituted and made and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do assign nominate constitute and make Captain John Nichols Captain Henry Mudd Captain Nicholas Kerrington and Captain William Green to be the four First and present Wardens of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to continue in the said Office or Place of Wardens of the same Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood by themselves or their sufficient Deputies the same Deputies to be Elected Their Deputies and how chosen Chosen and Sworn by the Master Assistants and the rest of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the more part of them by themselves or their said Deputies as aforesaid whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy as aforesaid for the time being to be always one in manner and form also as hereafter in these presents touching the same shall be likewise limited and appointed from henceforth also until the said Morrow after Trinity Sunday Determination of their Offices commonly called Trinity Munday now next ensuing and so from thence forward in default of a new Election or Choice then to be made of other Wardens until themselves or some other of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood shall in due manner according to the intent and true meaning of these presents be Chosen and Sworn unto the said Office or Place of Warden according to the Ordinances and Provisions hereafter in these presents likewise touching the same also expressed and declared if they the said Wardens shall so long live The eight first Assistants And further We have assigned nominated constituted and made and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do assign nominate constitute and make our right trusty and right intirely beloved Cousin Henry Duke of Grafton and our right trusty and right well beloved Cousin and Counsellor William Earl of Craven and our right trusty and right well beloved Cousin George Earl of Berkley and our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor George Lord Dartmouth our trusty and well beloved Sir Thomas Allen Kt. and Bar. Captain Symon Nichols Captain Isaac Woodgreen and Captain Thomas Brown to be the eight First and present Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to continue in the said Office or Place of Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood by themselves or their sufficient Deputies the same Deputies to be alwayes Chosen Elected and Sworn Their Deputies and how chosen by the Master Wardens Assistants and the rest of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being or the most part of them by themselves or their said Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one in manner and form also as hereafter in these presents touching the same shall be likewise limited and appointed from henceforth for and during the Term of their natural lives Their Office for Life according to the Ordinances and Provisions hereafter in these presents touching the same likewise expressed and declared The eighteen first Elder Brethren And We have also assigned nominated constituted made and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do assign nominate constitute and make our trusty and well beloved Subjects Sir Richard Haddock Sir John Berry Sir John Narbrough Sir Matthew Andrews Sr Anthony Dean Knights Captain Henry Sheer Captain Hugh Till Captain Samuel Chamblet Captain Thomas Collier Captain Anthony Young Captain John Hill Captain Francis Wilshaw Captain Robert Fisher Captain James Bonnel Captain Ralph Sanderson Captain Thomas Wilshaw Captain Samuel Rutter and Captain Richard Goodlad to be the first and and present eighteen Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to continue in the said Office or Place of Elder Brethren from henceforth for and during the term of their natural lives Their Office for Life according to the Ordinances and Provisions hereafter in these presents likewise expressed and declared And we have assigned named constituted and appointed and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do assign name constitute and appoint our trusty and well beloved Samuel Hunter Gentleman Their Clerk to be the Clerk to the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood aforesaid
Willing also that the said Master VVardens and Assistants or any of them by any of the Justices Officers and Ministers aforesaid in or for the due use claim or abuse of any Liberties Franchises or Jurisdictions before the making of these presents be not molested or hindred or compelled to answer to them or any of them And moreover The Lord Mayor of London and all other Officers commanded to Assist and forbid to molest the Corporation in any thing contained in this Grant our Will and Pleasure is that the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in our County of Kent and the Master Wardens and Assistants of the same their Successors Deputies and Officers and every of them for and concerning all or any our former Grants in these Our Letters Patents contained and the due Execution of them or any of them shall as well by the Lord Mayor Sheriffs Justices Officers and Ministers of our City of London as by the Sheriffs Justices of Peace and more particularly the Commissioners and other Officers of our Customes in every Port of this our Realm as also all other Officers and Ministers of all and every other County City and Place of this our Realm of England from time to time be aided and Assisted and helped Forbidding that the same Our Leige People and Subjects or their Successors or the afore recited Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors or their Officer or Officers for the time being which shall be Elected Ordained and appointed in manner and form aforesaid or any of them be by Us our Heirs and Successors or any the Justices Mayors Escheators Sheriffs Coroners Bayliffs or any other Officer or Minister whatsoever of Us Our Heirs or Successors bearing any Office or Offices whatsoever in any of our said Cities or Counties or in any other Place or Places whatsoever by any means from henceforth at any time or times hereafter for the Premisses or any Article of them Molested Impeached Vexed Troubled Disquieted or Grieved in any thing In Witness whereof We have Caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Eight day of July in the First Year of our Reign By Writ of Privy Seal PIGOTT A List of the First Thirty one Elder Brethren appointed by this Charter Master SAMUEL PEPYS Esq Wardens Cap. John Nicholls Cap. Henry Mudd Cap. Nicholas Kerington Cap. William Green Assistants Henry Duke of Grafton William Earl of Craven George Earl of Berkely George Lord Dartmouth Sir Thomas Allen Kt. and Baronet Cap. Simon Nicholls Cap. Isaac Woodgreen Cap. Thomas Browne Elder Brethren Sr. Richard Haddock Kt. Sr. John Berry Kt. Sr. John Narbrough Kt. Sr. Matthew Andrews Kt. Sr. Anthony Dean Kt. Cap. Henry Sheere Cap. Hugh Till Cap. Samuel Chamblet Cap. Thomas Collier Cap. Anthony Young Cap. John Hill Cap Francis Wilshaw Cap. Robert Fisher Cap. James Bonnell Cap. Ralph Sanderson Cap. Thomas Wilshaw Cap. Samuel Rutter Cap. Richard Goodlad The Several OATHS Enjoyned by this CHARTER To be taken by the OFFICERS and MEMBERS OF THIS CORPORATION According to the Table subjoyned 1. The Oath of Supremacy I Do utterly testifie and declare in my Conscience The 1st of Eliz. cap. 1st that the KING's Highness is the only Supreme Governour of this Realm and of all other His Highnesses Dominions and Countries as well in all Spiritual or Ecclesiastical things or Causes as Temporal And that no Foreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Iurisdiction Power Superiority Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm And therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all Foreign Iurisdictions Powers Superiorities and Authorities and do promise that from henceforth I shall bear Faith and true Allegiance to the KING's Highness his Heirs and lawful Successors and to my power shall assist and defend all Iurisdictions Priviledges Preeminences and Authorities granted or belonging to the KING's Highness his Heirs and Successors or united and annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm So help me God and by the Contents of this Book 2. The Oath of Allegiance I Do truly and sincerely acknowledge profess The 3d. Jacobâ—s cap. 4th testifie and declare in my Conscience before God and the World that our Soveraign Lord King JAMES is lawful and rightful King of this Realm and of all other His Majesties Dominions and Countries and that the Pope neither of himself nor by any Authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath any Power or Authority to depose the King or to dispose any of His Majesties Kingdoms or Dominions or to authorize any Foreign Prince to invade or annoy him or his Countries or to discharge any of his Subjects of their Allegiance and Obedience to His Majesty or to give License or leave to any of them to bear Arms raise Tumults or to offer any violence or hurt to His Majesties Royal Person State or Government or to any of his Majesties Subjects within His Majesties Dominions Also I do swear from my heart that notwithstanding any Declaration or Sentence of Excommunication or Deprivation made or granted or to be made or granted by the Pope or his Successors or by any Authority derived or pretended to be derived from him or his See against the said King His Heirs or Successors or any Absolution of the said Subjects from their Obedience I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to His Majesty His Heirs and Successors and him and them will defend to the uttermost of my power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against his or their Persons their Crown and Dignity by reason or colour of any such Sentence or Declaration or otherwise and will do my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto His Majesty His Heirs and Successors all Treasons and Traiterous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against him or any of them And I do further swear that I do from my heart abhor detest and abjure as impious and heretical this damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may be deposed or murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do believe and in my conscience am resolved that neither the Pope nor any Person whatsoever hath Power to absolve me of this Oath or any part thereof which I acknowledg by good and full Authority to be lawfully administred unto me and do renounce all Pardons and Dispensations to the contrary And all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to these express words by me spoken and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And I do make this Recognition and Acknowledgment heartily willingly and truly upon the true
the sum of five pounds The Penalty of heating Pitch Tar c. but in such a manner That the Master of every Ship or Vessel being within the River of Thames do take care not to suffer any manner of Pitch Tar Rozine Grease Tallow Oyl or the like to be heated on board by Fire Loggerhead Shot or any other thing but that it be done as often as there may be occasion either upon the shore or in a Boat being afloat upon the penalty of three pounds to be paid as aforesaid That all Masters of Ships do take care in the drying their Bread-rooms How Bread Rooms to be dry'd and the Penalty of not observing the same to appoint able and careful men for doing the same and not to dry them in the night or keep any Fire therein in the night time upon the penalty of five pounds to be paid as aforesaid V. Item The Penalty of keeping Guns shotted It is ordered that the Master of every Ship homeward bound do unshot all his Guns before or so soon as he shall arrive at Gravesend upon the penalty of twenty Nobles to be paid to the use of the Poor of this Corporation And that no Master of a Ship The Penalty of firing Guns in the Night time being above Blackwall do presume to Fire any Guns before Sun rising or after Sun setting upon the penalty of ten shillings for each Gun so fired to be paid as aforesaid VI. The Penalty of Masters for suffering Bumboats to come aboard Item Whereas by reason of Dirtboats otherwise called Bumboats their carrying Fruit Wine Strongwaters c. to sell to shipkeepers and others aboard Ships there is much wrong done to the Owners by the purloyning of Cordage and other materials It is order'd that all Masters of Ships for the preventing of the evils aforesaid do from henceforth take care that themselves their Officers and Servants do not permit any such Boats to come on board their Ships or that they buy or sell any thing with them That they also do take care that their men do put the Dirt of their Ships Of not carrying and laying ashore their Dirt in proper time and Place as there may be occasion into their own Boats at seasonable hours in the day and do carry and lay it on shore above high-water-mark Of throwing their Dirt into the River and that they do not suffer any Dirt or Filth to be thrown over board into the River and in case of any of the aforesaid neglects the Master shall forfeit and pay for each of the same to the use of the Poor of this Corporation the sum of twenty shillings VII Item It is order'd that no Master do suffer to be taken in The Penalty of taking in or heaving out Ballast without a Port Sail. or heav'd out of his Ship any Ballast without having a sail nail'd to the sell of the Port or if a small Vessel to the Gunnel to over hang the side of the Lighter upon the penalty of twenty shillings to be paid to the use of the Poor of this Corporation for his every time so offending VIII The Penalty of hindring the Officer of the Trinity-House from coming on board to search for Powder c. Item It is order'd that whatsoever Master either by himself his Officers or Seamen shall at any time refuse or hinder any person appointed by this Corporation and upon demand shewing his Authority under the common Seal thereof from coming on board his Ship in the day time to search for any Powder Guns unshotted heating of Pitch Tar Rozine Grease Tallow Oyl and the like the carcless or unseasonable drying of Bread-Rooms the suffering Bumboats to come aboard and to Traffique with them or to enquire into any other Offences there committed against the Orders of this House He shall forfeit and pay to the Poor thereof for his every time so offending the sum of five pounds IX The Penalty of any Brothers Petitioning about any general Sea-Cause without the consent of Trinity-House Forasmuch as certain Members of this Corporation have heretofore partly of themselves and partly at the request of others very disorderly and very indiscreetly preferr'd Bills Petitions and other writings to the high Court of Parliament and to other inferiour Jurisdictions in the Name of Seamen in General without making the Master Wardens and Assistants acquainted therewith to the great detriment and scandal of the Corporation for preventing thereof for the time to come it is order'd that if any being Members of this Corporation shall at any time hereafter do or attempt the like matters as aforesaid or shall set their hands to any Bill Petition or other writing concerning any General Sea-Cause without the consent of the Master Wardens and Assistants thereto first had and obtain'd every such person shall forfeit and pay for every such Offence to the use of the Poor of this Corporation the sum of five pounds X. Item Orders for the good Government of Sea-men on ship-board For the better regulating and Government of Sea-men and Mariners it is Order'd That if any Mariner whilst on Ship-board shall Swear The Penalty of Swearing or Blaspheming Curse or Blaspheme the Name of God he shall forfeit and pay for every such Offence one shilling the same to be put into the Poors Box remaining on board the said Ship for the use of the Poor of this Corporation If any Seaman whether Officer or other after he shall be hired to serve in any Ship Lying on shore without Leave shall at any time lye on shore during the Term of the Voyage without leave first had from the Master or chief Officer on board he shall forfeit and pay for every such offence to the said Poors Box half a Crown If any Mariner whether Officer or other Absence from Prayers being in perfect health shall absent himself from Prayers being perform'd according to the Liturgy of the Church of England or shall not immediately after the Ring of the Bell or other publick notice repair thereunto He shall forfeit and pay for his every time so neglecting to the said Poors Box six pence If any Mariner shall be Drunk he shall forfeit and pay Drunkenness for every such offence to the said Poors Box one shilling If any Mariner shall be obstinate and stubborn Disobedience in not obeying the Masters lawful Commands or the Mate or Boatswains in his absence he shall forfeit and pay for every such Offence to the said Poors Box half his months Pay But upon any persons being found to offend against any of the above mentioned Orders in this Law mentioned At the Liberty of the Master either to inflict Corporal Punishment or take the Penalties aforesaid it shall be left to the liberty of the Master or Commander of the the Ship with the advice and consent of the Mates Boatswain Purser Gunner and Carpenter or Major part of them either to inflict Corporal Punishment according to the custome of the Seas or receive and take the penalties hereby imposed for the breach of the aforesaid Laws and if it shall happen that the said person or persons have not present mony to satisfie what is Ordered to be paid for any such Offences then it is required that he or they subscribe their Names to the Master or Pursers Book thereby signifying their Consent that the said forfeitures may be defalked out of their Wages the next Pay day following XI Item It is Order'd The Penalty of a Seaman's deserting one Master and shipping himself with another That if any Mariner or Seaman having ship'd himself with any Master for a Voyage shall afterwards desert and leave him and ship himself with another that Master with whom he goeth the Voyage shall upon notice given on behalf of this Corporation detain two shillings in every pound of the Wages of the said Mariner or Seaman for the time he serveth in his Ship to be paid to this Corporation for the use of the Poor thereof XII Item It is Order'd that every Commander of Ship The Master to make an agreement in writing with every Seaman he shall entertain hireing any Mariner or Seaman to sail with him upon any Voyage to Sea do take in writing under the said Seamans hand upon what conditions he is entertained and that he doth submit himself to the By-Laws of Trinity-House ALL which said Acts Ordinances and Constitutions in manner and form aforesaid We George Lord Jefferyes Baron of Wem Lord high Chancellour of England Sir Robert Wright Kt. Lord Chief Justice of the Pleas before his Majesty to be holden and Sir Edward Herbert Kt. Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Common Pleas at the request of the Master Wardens and Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Corporation by Authority and Vertue of an Act of Parliament made in the nineteenth year of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh for that purpose have Seen Read Examined and Perused and for good lawful and laudable Ordinances Constitutions and By-Laws so far as we lawfully may do Allow and Approve by these presents In Witness whereof We have hereunto Subscribed our Names and set our Seals the four and twentieth day of June in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred Eighty Seven Jefferies C. R. Wright Edw. Herbert
of Apprenticeship of such Children be executed by the respective Masters to whom they shall be bound in the presence of the Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild or Fraternity or the major part of them at some publick meeting of the Corporation Power of Ministring Oaths in all Marine Causes and other Occasions of the Corporation And for that it oftentimes falleth out that for the avoiding of long depending of Suits in Law and great expences incident to the same many Marine and Admiral Causes in controversie between party and party in the High Court of Admiralty are referred by and forth of the said Courtâ— or by and from the Judge thereof or his lawful Surrogate or Deputy in that behalf for the time being to the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or their said Deputies for the time being as aforesaid to hear and determine the which the said said Master Wardens and Assistants and their said Deputies are not able many times to accomplish by reason that they have hitherto wanted a sufficient power and authority in themselves to minister an Oath unto the Witnesses to be produced on either side For the Reformation whereof We of Our further Grace do by these presents will and grant for Us Our Heirs and Successors unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors that they by themselves or their Deputies aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter when and as often as occasion shall thereunto require not only in the Case aforesaid minister an Oath to every person that shall be produced or used as a Witness for the testifying and declaring the truth in any such Case but also at the Electing of every Master Warden Assistant and their Deputies as aforesaid minister to every Master Warden and Assistant and his or their Deputy and Deputies and the said Elder Brethren the said Oath of well ordering and governing of themselves in their said Offices and Places and to every Younger Brother and Officer of the said Society and to all and every Apprentice and Apprentices to be bound as aforesaid when he or they shall be made free the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the usual Oath to the Corporation Power of appointing all Pilots and Loadsmen into and out of the River of Thames And for that many times unskilful and indiscreet persons not having knowledg or due understanding either of our Channel or how to Guide and Govern Ships or other Vessels aright have taken upon them to be Pilots Loadsmen and Guides for the safe bringing up of Strangers Ships Hoyes Flyboats Barks or other Vessels into our River of Thames and for want of such knowledg and understanding have cast away the said Ships and other Vessels to the great annoyance and decay of our said Channels and loss and hinderance both of our Merchants and others going ordinarily to Sea and to the slander and evil report of the more skilful and better sort of our Seamen and Mariners amongst Forraign Nations using the Traffick hither For Reformation whereof Our will and pleasure is and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and to their Successors and do straitly charge and command that no manner of Person or Persons Seamen or Mariners or other Person whatsoever at any time hereafter shall take upon him or them or otherwise presume or suffer themselves to be Pilots Loadsmen or Guides to or for the bringing in or carrying forth of the River of Thames or any other Creek belonging or running into the same of any Ship or other Vessel by what name or names soever they shall be called except such Person or Persons so taking upon him or them such Pilotship Loadsmanage or Guidance shall be thereunto first appointed and authorized by the said Master VVardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being or the greater part of them together with the major part of the rest of the said Elder Brethren whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one under the Common-Seal of their Corporation and confirmed under the Hand and Seal of the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being To be confirmed by the Lord High Admiral without any Charge or Fee to the the Secretary of the Admiralty for the same To appoint Pilots to all Aliens Ships out of the River of Thames And moreover that no such Ship or other Vessel whereof any Alien or Stranger not being born within or under Our obeysance shall be Owner or part Owner shall go down or out of the said River of Thames to Seawards without a Pilot Loadsman or Guide to them in that behalf assigned and appointed in Writing by the said Master Wardens and Assistants or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies together with the major part of the rest of the Elder Brethren whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one And for the better Execution thereof on the said Master Wardens and Assistants Power of rateing the Pilotage to all Aliens Ships and their Deputies behalf as aforesaid such Pilots Loadsmen and Guides shall and may be appointed to every or any such Ship or other Vessel whereof the said Alien or Stranger is or shall be Owner or part Owner by the said Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid for such competent Sum of Money and reasonable rate to be paid yielded and given by the said Alien or Stranger or his Deputy unto the said Pilot Loadsman or Guide so to be appointed and conducting them according to the greatness or charge of every such Ship or other Vessel as shall be reasonable and so from time to time deemed by the said Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren and their Successors or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies for the time being whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one And also that from henceforth no Seamen or Mariner No Master or Pilot to take charge into or out of the Thames without being examined by this Corporation shall presume to take upon him or them to be a Master Pilot Loadsman or Guide of or to any Ship or Vessel whatsoever to Sail go or put forth of the said River of Thames or any other Creeks thereof into the Seas or from the Seas homewards into the said River of Thames or any Creek thereof other then such as shall have been first examined by the Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the major part of them by themselves or their Deputies whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to
majority at least of the Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being be always some from time to time and at all times hereafter upon reasonable warning thereof to be given to Assemble themselves for and about any the Matters Causes Affairs or Business of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood in any place within the City of London or County of Middlesex or in any other place or places for the same convenient and then and there to hold and keep Court for the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and the affairs thereof and the Perquisites Issues and Profits of the said Court so to be holden and kept to levy take Their Profits how to be employ'd and perceive to and for the use of the said Corporation for the better maintainance and preservation thereof without any accompt to be made or rendred to Us our Heirs Without Accompt and Successors in that behalf And also that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master VVardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the more part of them being so assembled by themselves or their Deputies provided that the majority at least of the Master VVardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being be always some to treat General subject of their debates and Trust commune and agree amongst themselves or with any other Person or Persons whatsoever of and upon the Conservation good Estate and wholsome Government as well of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as upon the like Conservation good Estate wholesome Government Maintainance and Encrease of the Navigation of this Our Realm and of all Mariners and Sea faring men within the same and of all and every the Apprentices Servants and their Masters and Governours and other persons to the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood belonging or coming or being within our River of Thames or any the Creeks or Harbors of the same and for the good Orders to be made amongst them or any of them of and upon all and singular Articles any manner of way touching or concerning the premisses or any part thereof or the cunning Knowledge or Science of Seamen and Pylots for the better and more safe Guiding and Conducting of all manner of Ships and other Vessels And at and upon the same their Assemblies Meetings or Conference Power to make and alter Laws or any of them to make ordain and constitute besides such and so many reasonable Laws Constitutions Orders and Ordinances as to them or the greater part of them being then and there present whereof the Mater or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one shall seem necessary and convenient touching the premisses and for the better advancement and continuance of the same and the same Laws Constitutions Orders and Ordinances so made or any of them to put in Vre and Execution accordingly and at their pleasures again to revoke alter or change when and as often as occasion thereto shall require Their Laws binding to all within the River of Thames And further that whatsoever is or shall be concluded and agreed upon at any such Assembly or Meeting the same shall be holden as Laws Ordinances and Statutes amongst them to be put in Ure and Execution and shall bind all the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and all other Seamen and Mariners of the said River of Thames or of any other Place Port Haven or Town as well the Subjects of this Realm as Strangers for the time of their being at or in the said River of Thames or Creeks or Harbours of the same to obey and observe the same So always that the said Laws Proviso about their said Laws Ordinances Statutes or any of them be not contrary or repugnant to the Laws Statutes Rights or Customes of this Our Realm of England or Derogatory to the Jurisdiction and Preheminence of the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being or to the Court of Admiralty of England or to the Judge Register or Marshal of that Court for the time being or any of them And whosoever against the said Laws Infringers of their Laws to be punished and how Ordinances and Statutes shall in any part offend or shall violate or break any of them it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master VVardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the greater part of them their Successors and Deputies aforesaid whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy to be always one in their discretions according to the greatness and quality of the fault to punish and correct and the pains penalties amerciaments and forfeitures or any of them in the said Laws Ordinances and Statutes or any of them to be appointed and specified of the Offenders and every of them to ask levy gather and receive and for the same if need so be the said Offender and Offenders as well by his and their Goods and Ships or either of them as by his or their Bodies as the Case shall require according to the Laws and Customs of this our Realm of England or our Court of Admiralty to Distrein and Arrest and by their own Officer for that purpose to be appointed if they shall so think it meet to Commit to Ward there to remain until the same pains amerciaments and forfeitures with the Charges of the Imprisonment be fully answered satisfied and paid to the use and benefit of the said Corporation and also the same Parties Offenders and every of them to Release and set Free again as to the said Master VVardens Assistants and Elder Brethren and Deputies aforesaid or the greater part of them for the time being in that behalf shall seem expedient And that all and singular sum and sums of Mony whatsoever Vses of their Monies arising from Fines Forfeitures c. due or hereafter to be due and received by the said Decrees Orders Agreements Fines Forfeitures or otherwise shall be to the use Commodity and profit of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood unto and for the repairing of a Certain House Repair of their Houses and Alms-houses or Tenement commonly called or known by the Name of Trinity House and of other Tenements and Alms-houses scituate and being in Deptford Strond aforesaid and Vpper Deptford in the said County of Kent belonging to the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and for the finding of certain poor Persons Relief of poor Brothers and their Widdows Brethren and the Wives of Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood which are fallen into Decay Misery Poverty and Need or hereafter shall fortune to fall into Decay Misery Poverty and Need and also for relief of other Poor Mariners and Sea-faring men such as by them General Charities and their Successors shall be thought meet and necessary therewith to be relieved and for other Publick uses of the said Society To hold and dispose of their Revenue without Account Which sum and sums of Mony so
Inquests Inquisitions Attaints and other Recognizances taken or summoned within the said Counties or Places or any of them unless that they the said Master VVardens and Assistants and other Seamen and Mariners aforesaid Saving in case of Tenures or Admiralty Sessions be thereunto compelled or compellable by reason of their Tenures or unless it be for our Service at every Admiral Sessions which they and every of them shall be always tied and bound to attend upon their Perils being thereunto lawfully Summoned as heretofore and moreover that they and every of them shall be likewise exempted and discharged from being otherwise taxed to for or with any manner of Land Service whatsoever other then is aforesaid or to be contributary to the same And that if at any time or times hereafter the said Master VVardens and Assistants or any of them or any other Brother Officer Minister or Member of the said Corporation for the time being by any ways or means be appointed for bearing or finding of Armour or Taxed to or with any manner of Land Service other then as is aforesaid or to be Contributary to the same or Summoned or put in Assizes Juries Inquests Inquisitions or other Recognizances other then as aforesaid taken or summoned within the said Counties Jurisdictions or Places where they or any of them shall remain or abide other then as in regard of their said Tenures or for our Services at or in the Admiral Assizes or Sessions as aforesaid that then the said Appointment or Summons and also the said Taxation to be utterly void and of none effect any Order Custome Law or Usage to the contrary before this time had or used in any of the said Counties Jurisdictions or Places notwithstanding This exemption nevertheless revocable by an order of Council Provided alwayes that if the Lords and others of the Privy Council of Us Our Heirs and Successors or any six or more of them whereof the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being to be always one by any VVarrant or Warrants signed with the hands of them or any six or more of them whereof the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being to be one shall at any time or times Will and Command the said Master Wardens and Assistants to perform execute or do any Land Service or to be Contributary to the Charge of any Armour Munition or any other thing appertaining to such Land Service that then and so often the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors shall upon and after the receipt of any such Warrant perform and execute all and every such thing as shall be commanded and enjoyned unto them or any of them in and by the same anything before in these presents to the contrary thereof notwithstanding And further by these presents We do for Us our Heirs and Successors Power to stop all unlicensed Masters and Pilots and to licence thereto such as are sufficient admitting them into the Brotherhood and certifying their particular abilities give and grant unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and to their Successors for ever that from henceforth for ever hereafter it shall and may be lawful to and for them and the rest of the Elder Brethren of the said Society or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to forbid stay and keep back all and every Seaman and Mariner coming into or going forth of the River of Thames or any the Greeks or Harbours of the same to begin to take charge upon him or them as Master Pilot Loadsman or Guide of any Ship or other Vessel to go forth of the said River of Thames or Creeks or Harbors of the same outwards into the Sea or from the Sea Homewards into the said River or Creeks or Harbours of the same other then such as shall be first allowed of by them or the more part of them as aforesaid and if upon Examination and Trial had of any they shall find the same sufficient being naturally born our Subjects within our obeysance the same and every such they shall receive into the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and give him them and every of them a Writing under the Seal of their Corporation signifying thereby the Countries Coasts and Places for which he and every of them is and shall be sufficient to take Charge whereby men to whom he or they shall be unknown when they shall have occasion to hire him them or any of them may be truely certified and satisfied for what places he or they is or are sit and sufficient and this Order We do expressly Command to be observed to the intent thereby to avoid both ignorant Pylots and the placing and preferring of unskilful men to take Charge hereafter which some men heretofore have done and procured for affection to the person only without regard had to his or their sufficiency in Knowledg and Aptness thereunto And whosoever doth or shall at any time or times hereafter Power to imprison or fine unlicensed Masters or Pilots at discretion presume to take upon him Charge as Master or Pilot forth of the said River of Thames or Creeks or Harbors of the same Outwards into the Seas or from the Seas Homewards into the said River or Creeks or Harbours of the same before he or they be examined and allowed as aforesaid it shall may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens Assistants and the rest of the Elder Brethren and their Successors or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to punish such Offender or Offenders by Imprisonment or Fine or by both according to their discretions Our Channels Sands c. to be kept secret And to the end the Channels Sands Flats and Rocks arising growing or lying in or near any the Seas or Sea Coasts within any our Dominions should for the more strength and safety of our Realms and Kingdoms be kept secret within our Selves and altogether unknown to Aliens and Strangers of other Nations We do furthermore by these presents give and grant for Us our Heirs and Successors unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors full Power and Authority of and by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid or the greater part of them whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to forbid or restrain And therefore no Alien to be suffered to sail in any English Ships unless allowed by this Corporation that none do take any Alien or Stranger Born to Sail or Serve in any Ship or other Vessel belonging unto any of our Subjects coming into or going forth of the said River of Thames except such Person or Persons for urgent Causes or other good Considerations shall be thought meet to be allowed and
the same doth grow or stand before the first day of March next coming notice shall be given by the Queens Majesties Letters under her Signet shall at any time hereafter be taken down fell'd or otherwise cut down upon pain that every person by whose procurement or consent such Offence shall be committed shall forfeit the Sum of One hundred pounds whereof the One moyety to the Queens Majesty and the other Moyety to be to the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Trinity-House And if the said person or persons so offending be not of the value of One hundred pounds then the same person and persons to be deemed convict of Outlawry ipso facto to all constructions and purposes And further be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid To License Mariners to row in the Thames That all Mariners and Seafaring Men dwelling about the said River of Thames being thereto Licensed by the said Master Wardens and Assistants and having sufficient Certificate of such License from the said Master Wardens and Assistants as well between their Voyages as at other times at their Wills and Pleasures by force hereof the better to keep and refrain chemselves from Folly Idleness and Lewd Company and for the relief of them their Wives and Children shall and may freely and quietly exercise and Row in their own Wherryes or any other mens Wherryes by them to be hired or wherein they shall be hired to work up and down the said River of Thames to apply and follow the Ordinary passing and carrying of the Queens Majesties people to and fro as other Watermen commonly called Wherrymen of the same River use and accustome to do without Impeachment Hinderance or Let to the contrary and that such Seasaring men shall not thereby be drawn under any other Government than under the said Master Wardens and Assistants as they were before any Act Statute Provision Proclamation Ordinance or Custom heretofore against the Premisses Ordained or made in any wise notwithstanding Copia Vera Johan Walker Deput Johan Brown Cler. Parliamentor THE GRANT OF Queen ELIZABETH In the 36. Year of Her Reign OF THE Ballastage Beaconage and Buoyage TO THE TRINITY-HOUSE ELIZABETH By the Grace of God Surrender of the Ballastage by the Lord Admiral Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting Whereas our loving Cousin and Councellor Charles Lord Howard of the most Noble Order of the Garter Knight Baron of Effingham and our great Admiral of England hath by his Deed in our Court of Chancery enrolled bearing Date the seven and twentieth day of May last past for divers considerations him therein moving fully wholly and absolutely Surrendred yielded and given up unto Us and into our hands the Lastage and Ballastage and Office of Lastage and Ballastage of all and all manner of Ships and other Vessels whatsoever coming or being in or upon the River of the Thames or which shall at any time hereafter be coming Floting Issuing passing Sailing or going into or out of the River of the Thames betwixt our City of London and the Main Sea of what burthen soever such Ship or Ships or other Vessels shall be and of and by what Name or Names soever such Ballastage and Lastage is or may be called known or used or which do or hereafter shall remain lye or be at in upon or near unto any Wharf Bank or Creek near unto the same River or any Coast Shore or part of the same betwixt the Bridge of London towards the West part and the said Main Sea towards the East And all his lawful Right And Title to the same Title Interest and demand whatsoever which he hath or might have claim or pretend to have of in or to the premises or any of them by Vertue of the said Office of Great Admiral of England or of our Letters Patents dated at Westminster the eighth day of July in the seven and twentieth year of our Reign made unto him of the said Office of Great Admiral of England or of any Sentence or Clause therein contained or otherwise Prays the Granting thereof to the Trinity-House And hath besought us that we will be pleased to Give Grant and Confirm the premises unto the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House of Deptford-Strond in our County of Kent And whereas he hath further by his said Deed of the date aforesaid also fully Surrenders also the Beaconage and Buoyage wholly and absolutely Surrendred yielded and given up unto us and into our hands all his Right Title Interest Authority and demand whatsoever which he hath or might have Claim Challenge or pretend to have of in or to the making Erecting Setting up Placeing or Laying out of all or any Beacons Buoyes Marks and Signs for the Sea to be made Erected and Set up Placed or laid forth in or upon the Sea or Sea-Shores Coasts near the Sea or Vplands or Forelands or elsewhere near the Sea by Vertue or Colour of the said Office of great Admiral of England Letters Patents aforesaid or otherwise howsoever And hath by his said Deed declared and made known Declares the Right thereof to be in Trinity-House by Act of Parliament that albeit by the Letter of our said Letters Patents aforesaid the said Beaconage and other the last recited premises are granted unto him Yet it doth notwithstanding evidently appear unto him that it is in and by one Statute or Act of Parliament made in the Eighth Year of Our Reign specially and expresly Ordained and Enacted that the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House of the Deptford Strond aforesaid being a Company incorporated should and might lawfully by Vertue of the said Act from time to time at their Wills and Pleasures and at their Costs and Charges make Erect and Set up such and so many Beacons Marks and Signs for the Sea in such Place or Places of the Sea-shores and Vplands near the Sea Coasts or Forelands of the Sea for Seamarks as to them shall seem most meet needful and requisite whereby dangers may be avoided and escaped and Ships the better come to their Ports without Peril But for that the placing and laying out of Buoyes in convenient Places of the Sea and Channel for passing into and out of Havens and Rivers being a thing most necessary to forewarn shun and prevent the Peril and danger of those places may yet be questioned upon by the strict Letter of the said Statute Not fully enough express'd in the said Act. or Act of Parliament for that the said Buoyes be properly and naturally placed and laid out upon or within the Water of the Sea-Haven or River and not on the Sea-shore or Banks dry at any time and doth therefore justly deserve some explanation In regard of which premises he doth further by his said Deed of the date aforesaid humbly also beseech us Prays therefore
to the said Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House of Deptford Strond aforesaid and their Successors for ever by themselves their Substitute or Substitutes Deputy or Deputies Assign or Assigns to use exercise execute and enjoy for ever and all and every the said Premises to hold of her said Majesty her Heirs and Successors as of her Manor of East Greenwich in the said County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knights service as in and by the said Letters Patents more at large may appear The Reason for granting the Ballastage to Collonel Carlos And whereas upon information given unto Us by Our trusty and well beloved Subject and Servant Colonel William Carlos of Brewed in the County of Stafford Esq That if we should grant the said Soil and Gravel of our said River of Thames for Ballasting of Ships that such our grant would not entrench upon or be prejudicial to the said Grant made to the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity House as aforesaid We did by Our Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster the Seventh day of February in the twelfth year of Our Reign grant The Grant thereof to Colonel Carlos recited demise and to farm let unto the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns the Ballasting of all Ships and other Vessels whatsoever riding or being or then after to ride or be in the River of Thames in as large and ample manner to all intents constructions and purposes as we or any our Royal Progenitours or Predecessors Kings or Queens of this Realm or any Our or their Lord Admiral or Admirals of England for the time being or any others theretofore had granted or enjoyed the same or might should or ought to have had or enjoyed the same and also the Gravel Sand and Soil of the said River of Thames and every part and parcel thereof and the cleansing of the said River from Shelves and other annoyances And further We did by the said Indenture of Demise give and grant unto the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrrtors and Assigns full power priviledge license and authority that he the said Collonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns and every of them by himself or by his or their Deputy or Deputies Agents Factors Workmen and Servants or any of them from time to time and at all times during the term in our said Indenture of Demise mentioned in all and every place and places whatsoever within the said River being to the damage and annoyance of the same at his their and every of their wills and pleasures should and might dig take up draw forth and raise for the better furnishing of Ships with Ballast the said Gravel and Sand and soil out of the said River by all such wayes and means as he they or any of them should think fit and the said Gravel and Soil so by him them or any of them raised and taken up to land and lay on Shore upon any of Our wast ground in all and every convenient place and places and to take off the same as his or their or any of their occasions should require and upon any Wharfs agreeing first with the Owners of the same and he the said Collonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators Deputies and Assigns solely and only to convert utter dispose and sell the said Gravel Sand and Soil to and for the Ballasting of all or any Ship or Ships Vessels and Boats whatsoever which should have occasion to take or use Ballast within the said River he the said Colonel Carlos his Executors Administrators Deputies and Assigns affording and selling the same at such reasonable and moderate rates and prizes as the River Ballast was then and had formerly been usually sold for ballasting of Ships And we did likewise by our said Indenture of Demise strictly will require and command all other person and persons Bodies Politick and Corporate whatsoever during the Term thereby granted to forbear to sell vend give or utter any Gravel Sand or Soil of the said River to or for the ballasting of any Ship or Ships or other Vessels within the said River without license first had and obtained in writing under the Hand and Seal of the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators or Assigns or his or their Deputy or Deputies or some of them upon pain of our High displeasure and such further pains penalties and punishments as by the Laws or Statutes of this Realm or otherwise should or might be inflicted on them for their contempt of Our Royal Pleasure and Commandment in the premises To have hold take and enjoy the said Ballasting of Ships and other Vessels the said Gravel and Soil of the said River and the cleansing thereof in as large and ample manner and form to all intent constructions and purposes whatsoever as We or any Our Royal Progenitours or Predecessors Kings or Queens of this Realm or any Our or their Lord Admiral or Admirals of England or any others had thentofore had granted or enjoyed the same or might should or ought to have had and enjoyed the same together with all and every the Licenses Powers Priviledges Authorities Profits Commodities and Advantages whatsoever for the cleansing of the said River as aforesaid and other the Premises unto him the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns from the date of our said Letters Patents of Demise for and during the Term and unto the ful end and term of Thirty and one years from thence next ensuing and fully to be compleat and ended Yielding and paying therefore yearly and the said William Carlos for himself his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns did covenant promise and grant and agree to and with Us our Heirs and Successors by the said recited Indenture of Demise to pay unto Us our Heirs and Successors for and during the said Term of One and Thirty years the yearly rent or Sum of One thousand Marks of lawful Mony of England into the Receipt of Our Exchecquer at Westminster at the Feasts of St. John the Baptist and the Birth of our Lord God or within forty days next after the same Feast by even and equal Portions as in and by the said Indenture of Demise relation being thereunto had more at large appears And further reciting that whereas divers Suits by reason of Our said Indenture of Demise The Title to the Ballastage disputed between Trinity-House and Collonel Carlos decided by the King granted to the said Colonel William Carlos as aforesaid did after arise and were prosecuted in Our Name between the said Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House aforesaid and the said Collonel William Carlos touching the Right and Title to the Ballasting of Ships in the River of Thames and interest of the Sand Soil And Gravel of Our said River of Thames for the aforesaid use of
and all and every the Officers and Ministers of our said Court for the time being whom it shall or may concern That they and every of them at the desire and request of the said William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns and at his and their Own proper costs and charges do award make and deliver or cause to be awarded made and delivered unto him them or any of them all and every such Writ and Writs Process Judgments Executions and proceedings in the Name of Us Our Heirs and Successors as shall or may be necessary for the more speedy recovery as well of the said yearly Rent of one thousand Marks as of the said Sum of five pounds nominae penae that shall be so behind and unpaid as aforesaid and as are agreeable unto and may stand and consist with the Ancient course and practice of our said Exchecquer heretofore used for recovery of Debts and that they and every of them be from time to time aiding and Assisting to the said William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns in the premises as it becometh in their several places respectively Exchecquer to pay Carlos all Mony recover'd and paid thereinto without Fee And Our further Will and Pleasure is that in case upon any such Suit or Suits to be made and prosecuted in Our Name as aforesaid or otherwise the said Rent of One Thousand Marks or any part or parcel thereof shall be recover'd and paid into Our Exchecquer That then We do by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors authorize and require our said Treasurer Chancellour Vnder Treasurer Chamberlains and Barons of our Exchecquer and all other the Officers and Ministers of Our said Court now and for the time being that they and every of them respectively do from time to time issue and pay or cause to be issued and paid unto the said William Carlos his Executors Administrators or Assigns to his and their own use and uses all such Sum and Sums of Mony so paid into our Exchecquer as aforesaid without accompt or any Fee or Fees to be rendred made or given for the same And these Our Letters Patents or the exemplification or duplicate thereof shall be unto our said Officers and Ministers of our said Exchecquer a sufficient Warrant and discharge in that behalf Provided nevertheless and the said Master Ballast not to annoy any of the King's Pallaces Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House aforesaid for them and their Successors do hereby Covenant promise and agree to and with Vs Our Heirs and Successors that they nor any of their Agents Factors Servants Deputies or Assigns shall and will do any thing that shall be prejudicial nusant or Obnoxious to any of our Pallaces Houses or buildings in Our said County of Kent Nor to be laid on any Wast-Ground or Wharfe granted to others nor that they nor any of them shall and will lay or cause to be layed any Gravel Sand Soil or other thing for Ballastage upon any the wast grounds or Wharfes already Granted or that shall be hereafter granted by Us unto them the said Robert Killigrew Knight and Edward Progers Esquire or do any other thing that may in any wise infringe or intrench upon the wast grounds or Wharfes already granted or which shall be hereafter granted unto them the said Sir Robert Killigrew and Edward Progers any thing in these presents contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Provided also that if the said Master This Grant to be inroll'd within six Months Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House aforesaid or their Successors shall not within six Months next after the date hereof cause these our Letters Patents and the said yearly Rent and Sums of Mony as well reserved and payable unto Vs Our Heirs and Successors as unto the said William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns to be duely entered and put in charge with the Auditor of Our Revenue for the City of London With the Kings Auditor for London and Clerk of the Pipe and these Our Letters Patents to be also enrolled with the Clerk of the Pipe in the Exchecquer to the End the said yearly Rent or Sums of Mony may be duely charged answered and paid according to the intent and meaning of these Presents That then and in every such Case the said Master VVardens and Assistants and their Successors shall forfeit and pay to Us Or to forfeit Ten pound for every six Months default Our Heirs and Successors for every six Months default of such Enrolement as aforesaid the Sum of Ten pounds Nominae penae until these our Letters Patents shall be duely entered and Inrolled as aforesaid Several Lords of the Council assign'd to hear and redress all complaints about the Ballastage And Our further Will and Pleasure is And We do by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors declare will and ordain that it shall and may be lawful to and for the Lord Chancellor of England Or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England Lord Treasurer Lord President of our Privy Council and Lord Privy Seal or any of them calling both the Chief Justices of either Bench or One of them upon all and every Complaints to be made by the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies Substitutes and Assigns of any Offences or other matters or things touching and concerning the Ballasting of Ships or Vessels and other the premises as aforesaid contrary to the true meaning of these presents from time to time to hear and finally to determine every such complaint matter and thing by their Discretions and to put such Order therein according to the intent of these presents as by their discretions shall seem most convenient for the Conservation of the said River of Thames Parties offending their order to suffer Fine and imprisonment and the parties offending such Order to suffer Imprisonment and Fine to the use of Us Our Heirs and Successors according to the intent of the Statute in that behalf made and provided 27 Henry 8. Chap. 18. And to the End the said Master Wardens and their Assistants their Successors Deputies and Assigns may be the better enabled to receive and recover the Duties and Fees belonging to the said Office Our Will and pleasure is and we do hereby for Us Officers of the Customs at London to clear no ship till the Duties to the Ballast Office be paid our Heirs and Successors streightly Charge and Command our Officers and other Persons whatsoever imployed in our Customs and the Customs of our Heirs and Successors in our Port of London and our Officers imployed in the Office called the Searchers Office Coast or Cocket Office and others whatsoever not to Give or Deliver or permit to be Given or Delivered any Cocket Content or other Clearing-Bill or Discharge to any Ship or other Vessel whatsoever whether bound over Sea or Trading Ships or Vessels called Coasters until the
Duties and Fees belonging to the said Ballast Office be paid to the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies and Assigns and that Certificates thereof be produced under the hands of the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputy or Deputies for that purpose appointed And we do further by these presents command all Searchers at Gravesend Nor searchers at Gravesend to clear any Ship without Certificate from the Trinity-House of the said Duties being paid that they do not permit any Ship or other Vessels whatsoever to be cleared or proceed to Sea or pass away without Certificate from the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies or Assigns that the said Fees and Duties are paid as aforesaid as they will answer the contrary at their utmost Perils And the said Officers of our Customs and Searchers are hereby Commanded to make good all such loss and damage Or to make good all losses as shall from time to time happen to be sustained by their defaults respectively And We do hereby for Us This Grant to be renewed and strengthned when and as often as desired Our Heirs and Successors further promise and Grant unto the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity-House aforesaid and to their Successors that if and as often as any doubts or questions shall happen to arise for touching or concerng the Validity of these Our Letters Patents that then and so often upon the humble Petition of the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors to Vs Our Heirs and Successors exhibited or upon Notice and Certificate to Us Our Heirs and Successors by the Learned Council of the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants or their Successors touching any defect requisite to be amended We our Heirs and Successors will gratiously grant other Letters Patents unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants with such and so many Amendments Explanations Amplifications and Additions for supplying the said defects requisite to be amended as by the Council of the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors shall be advised devised or required And lastly our Will and Pleasure is that these presents shall be Good and Effectual in the Law to all Intents and Purposes No Former Grants nor Errors in Recital or Omissions are to hurt this Grant notwithstanding any former Grant or Grants heretofore Made or Granted of the Premises or any part or parcel thereof by Vs or any of Our Progenitors unto any Person or Persons whatsoever Or the not Reciteing or not truly Reciteing of such Grants or any of them Although Express Mention of the true Yearly value or Certainty of the Premises or of any of them or of any Other Gifts or Grants by Vs or by any of Our Progenitors or Predecessors heretofore made to the said Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House aforesaid in these Presents is not made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision Proclamation or Restriction heretofore Had Made Enacted Ordained or Provided or any other Matter Cause or Thing whatsoever to the Contrary thereof in any wise Notwithstanding In Witness whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness our Self at Westminster the Four and Twentieth day of June in the Seventeenth Year of our Reign By Writ of Privy Seal VYNER By the King A PROCLAMATION For Prohibiting Dirt-Boats and Bum-Boats upon the River of Thames Charles R. WHereas several Dirt-Boats and Bum-Boats do usually pass to and fro upon the River of Thames the Owners whereof will not submit to the Government of the Company of VVatermen nor any other Regulation whatsoever But under pretence of Fetching Dirt and Furnishing necessary Provisions on Board such Ships as are in the River do commit divers Thefts and Robberies and practice several other Insufferable Misdemeanours and sometimes endanger the Fireing His Majesties own Ships as also the Ships of divers Merchants Riding in the River by coming in the Night-time to assist such as are left on Board the Ships in the Imbezlement of the Goods Stores or Tackling Intrusted to their Charges His Majesty therefore by Advice of His Privy Council hath thought fit to Publish this His Royal Proclamation And doth hereby straitly Charge and Command all and every person and persons whom it doth or may concern That they presume not henceforth to use any such Dirt-Boats or Bum-Boats upon any pretence or occasion whatsoever as they will answer the contrary at their utmost Perils And if any such Boats shall hereafter be found upon the River of Thames contrary to the Tenour of this His Majesties Proclamation His Majesty doth hereby straitly Charge and Command the Master Wardens Assistans and Brethren of the Trinity House the Officers of His Majesties Yards and the Masters and Rulers of the Company of VVatermen for the time being and others whom it may concern That they cause such Dirt-Boats and Bum-Boats to be Seized and the persons so using the same to be Arrested and brought before His Majesty and His Privy Council And that they do from time to time take strict care that this His Majesties Proclamation may be duely put in Execution Given at Our Court at Whitehall the Sixth day of April In the Twenty third year of His Majesties Reign GOD SAVE THE KING By the King A PROCLAMATION For Regulating the Colours to be worn on Merchants Ships Charles R. WHereas by ancient Vsage no Merchants Ship ought to bear the Iack which is for Distinction appointed for His Majesties Ships Nevertheless His Majesty is informed That divers of His Majesties Subjects have of late presumed to wear His Maiestis Iack on board their Ships employed in Merchants Affairs and thinking to evade the Punishment due for the same bear Iacks in Shape and mixture of Colours so little different from those of His Maiesty as not to be without difficulty distinguished there from Which practice is found attended with manifold Inconveniences For prevention whereof for the future His Maiesty hath thought fit with the Advice of His Privy Council by this His Royal Proclamation strictly to Charge and Command all His Subiects whatsoever That from henceforth they do not presume to wear His Majesties Iack commony called The Union Jack in any of their Ships or Vessels without particular Warrant for their so doing from His Majesty or the Lord High Admiral of England or the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admiral for the time being And His Majesty doth hereby further Command all His Loving Subjects That without such Warrant as aforesaid they presume not to wear on board their Ships or Vessels any Iacks made in imitation of His Majesties or any other Flags Iacks or Ensigns whatsoever then those usually heretofore worn on Merchants Ships viz. The Flag and Iack white with a Red Cross commonly called Saint George's Cross passing quite through the same And the Ensign Red with the like Cross in a Canton White at the upper Corner thereof next to the Staff And