Parliament for drawing the generall Pardon to have these offences excepted James Harrington Herbert Morley Your Petitioner did deliver this Order to Mr. Attorney Generall and this exception is put into the generall Pardon of this Parliament as may bee seen upon perusal 3. The Committee of Essex put mee out of Possession of the Mannors of Battells and Patan-Hall in Essex as appears by their Warrants Of which Lands I had an Extent of One thousand pounds for the payment of five hundred and one Mr. Elconhead received my rents ever since 1643 and never paid the Committee of Essex any thing for your Petitioners Extent of five hundred pounds and the same Elconhead injoyes your Petitioners Lands in Essex to this very day by colour of the Sequestration of the Committee of Essex to your Petitioners great damage 4. The Committee of Shropshire seized in my sisters hands in London three Bonds due to mee in two thousand pounds for the payment to mee Thomas Violet One thousand pounds by the Lady Anne Waad Edmond Lenthal Phillip Cage and Charles Mordent Esq's 1643. which Bonds were carried to Shrewsbury 5. I had the Leas and Extent of ten severall Houses at the Posterne in Little Moor-fields and the Tennants owed mee when I was committed to the Tower in arrears for rent above one hundred pounds And for these sixteen years I received no Rent of them But one Mr. Elconhead hath received the Rents of them ever since by colour of a Sequestration of the Committee of Middlesex 6. I had the Office of sealing and surveying of all gold and silver Thread and Wyer which prevented the making of all sleight and adulterate gold and silver Thread and Wyer granted to mee under the Great Seal for three Lives from the Late King which Office cost mee Fifteen hundred pounds to the Lord Treasurer Juxon L. Cottingon Sir John Cook Secretary of State and Sir John Bankes the late Kings Attourney The necessitie of keeping up that Office to prevent the daily Cozenages and frauds of divers Silkmen Wyerdrawers and Refiners in their making Cours sleight and deceitfull Gold and Silver Wyer and Thread Your Petitioner formerly presented unto your Honours and can prove it that forty thousand pounds a year in silver is wasted besides the Wearers daily Cozened for want of a due Regulation of gold and silver Thread and Lace And upon the Discovery of these notorious Cheats 1635. the late King and his Council appointed mee Surveyor and Sealer of the said Manufacture I caused all the abuses to bee laid aside I indicted some offenders imprisoned some caused others to stand in the Pillory and made many of them that wrought adulterate cours silver run away out of London By which means I angred many Cheating Wyerdrawers Silkmen and Refiners and the late Kings Council and Commissioners setled such Rules and Orders during the Regulation of the Manufacture as it was all made of good silver and the Coin and Bullion of this Nation preserved and your Supplicant was bound to the late King to warrant all the Manufactures either of gold or Silver Wyer or Thread which hee sealed or surveyed in the Office to bee good silver and to make it good to any party grieved in the Nation as appears by my Patent under the Great Seal of England For which Assurance Surveying and Sealing I was allowed to demand and take an half penny for every ounce Troy in Wyer Spangles Oes c. I surveyed and 4 pence for every pound weight Venice for all the Gold and Silver Thread I sealed with the Seal of my Office being the Rose and Crown And all that time the gold and silver Lace was as good Silver and as duly assaied as the Plate or Money of the Nation and now it is made under no Rule nor Government but the Wearers many of them cheated by course and deceitfull Lace Wyer silver Thread as I can demonstrate 7. I had a Grant from the late King under his Signet to bee Master-worker of the Mint in the Tower of London for my life with the Fee of five hundred pounds a year for executing that place which Grant was taken from my Mother out of her Custody when I was sent to the Tower 8. I had one quarter part of the Lady Villers Farm at the Custom-house for the Importation of all gold and Silver Thread Hatbands Lace and Copper throughout England and Wales which cost mee a little before I was sequestred above seven hundred pounds And if the making gold and silver thread was put down in England the Custom of gold and silver thread imported would make a farr greater Revenew then now it doth by the Excise and the Manufacture if it bee made here ought to bee kept to a strict Regulation Mr. Edwards and Mr. Tbornbury I imploied to Collect this duty at the Custom-hous 9. I spent in my Imprisonment in the Tower for almost four years about eight hundred pounds reckoning my Fees and Expences and could never get Justice though I petitioned to the Parliament as aforesaid for many years to come to a legall Triall knowing my self to bee innocent both by God's Law and the Laws of the Land and by the testimony of a good conscience which hath ever supported mee in and thorow all these great troubles All this Estate was and is Sequestred to this day but my three aforesaid bonds which I now have in my Custody besides my damage for my four years Imprisonment 10. Since I came out of the Tower by order of the Councel of State 1652. your Petitioner laid out in the Prosecution of the Silver Ships Sampson Salvador and George above the summe of seven hundred sixty five pounds I borrowed every penny of this money paying Interest for it at this day And by my Protest against the Discharge of these silver Ships Sampson Salvador and George and my Discoveries thereupon by many good and legal Witnesses Passengers and others in these Ships I caused all the Silver to become the Common-wealths All which services I did upon the faithfull promise of the Councel of State in Decemb. 1652 to restore mee to all my Estate or the full value of eleven thousand pounds John Corbet Esquire one of the Members of this present Parliament at this day and one of the Committee of Shropshire meeting with your Petitioner in March 1655. was noblie pleased to take notice of your Petitioners good endeavours to serve the Common-wealth and seeing that your Petitioner had put out in Print a List of his particular damages and the particular Bonds Houses Lands Offices set down which had been taken from your Petitioner his Mother and Sister who had then a great part of his estate in their Custody at the time of his imprisonment in the Tower and were plundred of it during that time of my Imprisonment there by the title and name of Sequestration This Noble Gentleman Mr. Corbet being very sensible of my sufferings and how your Petitioners estate had bin
their Rule to walk by in stead of the Bible because they are in great places to practice Iniquity by a Law as Ahab did for Naboths Viniard who did not only cheat him of his Land and Inheritance but robbed him of his Life and to seem holy called a Fast the effect of that godly Fast was to set two mens sonns of Belial to beare false witnesse that Naboth had Bsasphemed God and the King sending a warrant for the Execution of innocent Naboth before ever they tryed him that he should be ston'd to death right or wrong what a sad End the Authors of this murder and robbery come to is well known how many great and Noble Persons of the eminentest for quality in this Nation have bin Trappaned and perjured out of their Lifes Lands and Estates and some of the witnesses upon their Death beds with horrour of Conscience and great Remorse have confessed the perjury that they were suborned by others to the great scandal of the Justice of the Nation by such waies to get mens Estates This is most apparent God is comming to visit for these things and when man cannot bring the Delinquents to Justice he causeth the guilty Persons one to punish another till by the dividing and subdividing they are so weak that as the flood cam upon the old world and destroyed mankinde so by these divisions the strength of the Nation is disjoynted Every man upon and against his Neighbour making a passage and way for the common Enemy to come and swallovv the Innocent with the guilty if God be not mercifull Moses divided the Red-Sea and the Children of Israel passed over on dry Land God hath by nature made a Sea betvveen us and our Neighbours he hath hedged us in and made a vvall of seperation between us and Popery but our sins at this day are plucking down this wall the wilde Bore of the Forrest is come in amongst us the Devil and the Jesuites have plaid their parts in this Nation to the ruining of many Body and Soul and to the admiration of Christendom the Jewes Crucified Christ thinking to gratifie Caesar Caesar a few years after paid them to purpose for Crucifying him May it please your Honours The ten Commandements and Fonts for christning of children at the beginning of these Troubles were plucked down and now comes Pulpits to be beaten in pieces and frequent tumults in several Churches within the city of London as lately at Aldgate parish hath bin done which is a corner of the city where many poor live and are fit for any Insurrection When I see children with a candle amongst powder or chips I feare the burning of the house or a blow with powder when wee see the buds appeare the spring is near these are as certaine signes of a mischief as the plague-tokens are to a man that hath the Plague the best symptomes are a purple fever a shaking an earth-quake if not a dissolution The pride and vanity of some Lecturers and Ministers who in the Nation having studyed points of dissention and division instead of the Gospel of Christ preach themselves too much plenty have made them wanton No doubt but some of them do it with the advice of the Iesuits to make a separation in Countryes Cities Townes Parishes and Families till without Gods infinite mercy the Iesuits bring a destruction both on the Churches and houses of the Nation and on this Great Citie of London and set every man to cut one anothers throats Would not the end of these things bring an unhappy deformation instead of a blessed Reformation when we are exposed to the fury of a forein Enemy by the vileness of the Iesuits and folly of our own Divisions What a divelish State trick vvas put upon the late Protector Oliver and his Secretary Mr. Thurloe by Sir Kenelm Digby and several other Persons Jesuitically inclined in setting the Protector on that fatal businesse of Hispaniola and Jamaica without ever advising and consulting with many of the English Protestant Planters who had for many years lived in those parts and had they had the honour to have been consulted with they could have told them that those fiery Regions was not for the constitution of our bodies That Fox and subtile Statesman Sir Kenelme Digby his very name should have bin fatall to the Protestants cause if the Lord Protector Oliver and Mr. Thurloe would have bin pleased to remember the Gun-powder treason This fatal designe of Jamaica cost the Protector and the Commonwealth above tvvo millions of pounds beside the lives of above twentie thousand valiant Englishmen destroyed by the unhealthfulness of the Climate and want of necessary Provisions and when these valiant men were almost famisht who had they bin in any part of Christendom the Spaniards durst not have look't them in the face had they bin twice their number yet these gallant Souldiers were all like sheep led to the slaughter and their blood spilt like water on the ground by the treachery of some of their Officers who no doubt had private instructions from some then in power to do what they did which upon examination was the cause they kept their heads upon their shoulders and escap't both with lives and estates May it please your Honours I hope your Honours will pardon these sad and necessarie truths proceeding from a loyal heart I have formerly ventured my life many times to get the Common-wealth two hundred seventie eight thousand pounds in money I now venture my self in these dangerous times to speak truth It is now as it was in the daies of Noah no man but Noah and his Familie believ'd a flood would come till it did come and sweep them all away And if I be justly used I may now in your streights bring you in presently as great a sum in money again as I saved you formerly abov three hundred thousand pounds fevv of the Council of State when I undertook to discover the Spanish Ambassadors fraudulent claim to this Silver I say there was but few of that Council did believe that I could ever get the State this Silver or that I would be so faithful to refuse ten thousand pounds which was offered me by the Claimers of this Silver which is certified in this Book by severall honourable Persons to be true should I bend my braines as much to study the disturbance of this Common-wealth as I have ever done the peace and happiness of it I could Demonstrate to you a pen and Inkhorne-man as I am can do more service or disservice then many hundreds of Red-coats I humbly pray my faithfulnesse be not paid with Ingratitude As for my own life I desire to have it no longer preserv'd then I can serve and benefit my Countrey I will wait on God and exspect an happie issue upon this my humble request knowing that if the Reputation and Iustice of the State and the Certificates of honorable persons be of any value in your Honours sight my
hee would improve that Testimony to the uttermost for the States advantage which indeed Doctor Walker did And I proved these frauds by the testimony of about ten of the Passengers being all Dutchmen Hamburgers and Lubeccars and other Hans-towns men and I had above fourscore witnesses the Passengers and Merchants more to examine in this businesse many of them were after packed away by the Claimers being Dutch marriners and had money given them that they should keep out of the way and not be examined and several Witnesses waited many daies to be examined in the Admiralty and could not Spanish Gold and Silver was plentifully bestowed on some in the Admiralty and they loved it well The Claimers had their Instruments almost every night that stole silver out of these ships to the value of many score thousand pounds which I discovered to the Councel of State as appeared by several papers which I presented to them I imployed several men who spake the Dutch Language at my own charge and gave them money to go on ship-board and to drink freely with the Dutch marriners and in their cups to fish out the secrets of this businesse and when I had once got the end of the string I would by other engines and instruments closely follow and never give it over till I knew the whole bottom of the Flemmish and Spanish cheats which they intended to put upon the Nation These men that I imployed on ship-board for to make this Discovery for mee never appeared to mee in the Admiralty lest the Spanish and Dutch Merchants and marriners should have discovered them to have been my spies And to deal clearly with your Honours they were none of them Book-men Civilians nor Lawyers but such persons as be skellom'd mee soundly in their cups with the Dutch marriners and though I paid for the Brandey-wine strong beer Mum and Spruce beere pickle Herrings and Holland cheese yet I never exspected from them good word or peny of money for all this charge and pains If I were to do the like service again for the State I would never look in any Books of the Civil Law but consult with such persons as know how to humour a Dutch Skipper or marriner and fish out his secrets Thus have I clearly told you the waies and instruments I used to do the Common-wealth this great service I now humbly exspect according to the Councel of States promise the summe of eleven thousand pounds for this service And had I not undertaken it the Common-wealth had lost this Silver which was to the value of two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds This that he desires being just I desire that you would not put him off but let it be done forthwith unto himself and all such others as he under his hand shall nominate for he employes others under him in searching into this businesse He will nominate none but such as may be trusted in it And I desire you in your several places to give him and all that he shall employ all ready dispatch and encouragement that the businesse of the Common-wealth may finde no obstacle Where there is publication you may likewise shew him the Depositions and I pray let nothing that is just be denied him 3. Septemb. 1653. Walter Walker 3 September 1653. MAster Dorislaus and M. Bud are now again desired to deliver unto Mr. Violet a Copie of the Specifications given in by the Masters and Commanders of the ships Sampson Salvador and George as likewise Copies of all the Pleadings Articulate Exhibited and admitted on the part of the Claimers of the Silver in any of these ships And they are to go with him to the Register and Examiners Offices and to procure him a view of all the Bills of Lading Extracts and Exhibites either brought into the Office or exhibited by any Claymers And whatever Papers are or shall bee exhibited by any Claymers And whatever Papers are or shall bee exhibited by any Claimers in the three Ships I do as Advocate for the Common-wealth desire Mr. Dorislaus to yeild all his endeavours and assistance and also the Register Examiner and Deputy-Register in the Admiraltie from time to time to give Mr Violet free admittance and view of all Acts Bills of Lading and Pleas Exhibited and Extracts and Papers remaining in the Registry or which shall come in And to it readily and effectually the same tending to the service of the Common-wealth and being in order for preparing the Evidence fit to be produced for the Common-wealth I am in this Letter by order of the Councel of State to Doctor Walker entreated to make this Discovery but now I have done the States-work with the hazard of my life and vast expence I cannot by Petitions Certificates or Prayers and many yeares attendance get to be paid my most dearly earned reward which the Councel promised me being eleven thousand pounds had I thought of this usage I could have bin paid by the Claimers If this discovery had bin so easily made and had bin every bodies work to have found out the Spaniards Frauds I should not have had these earnest Entreaties from Dr. Walker according to the Orders of the Councel of State of the 1. of Septemb. 1653. The Commissioners for Prize-Goods have certified to Mr Secretary Thurloe how active and knowing they found me to make these Discoveries and had I not been so the Nation had lost every peny of this great Treasure amounting to above two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds And I do according to the Order of the Councel of State of the First of September 1653 earnestly desire and Entreat Mr. Violet and also the Commissioners for Prize goods and their Sollicitors and Agents as also the Proctor and Silicitors for the State and every one of them with all convenient speed severally to set down in Writing all the Informations that they respectively know of or can finde And all the Evidences and Proofs that may be discerned or produced on the part of the Common-wealth That so a full Plea and Articulate Allegation may be prepared and the Proofs brought in for the Common-wealth And no Default bee done suffered or Committed 3. Septemb. 1653. Walter Walker Here follows the Referrees Letter with their desires to my Lord Bradshaw WHereas by an Order of Reference from his Highnesse the Lord Protector dated the 13th of July 1657. the Petition of Mr. Thomas Violet concerning his staying the ships Sampson Salvador and George and therein the Dutch silver is referred to the consideration of Sir Thomas Vyner and Sir John Barkstead Knights Captain John Limbrey Doctor Walker Gabriel Beck Maurice Thomson Edward Dendy Henry Middleton and Isaac Dorislaus Esquires or any three or more of them who according to the said Order of Reference are to examine state and certifie the premisses contained in the said Petition to his Highnesse together with their opinion upon the whole matter And whereas upon reading the said Petition of the said Mr. Thomas
the Sampson Salvadore the St George These Silver-ships brought treasure to our shore Two hundred seventie thousand pounds and more Color'd by Flemish and by Spanish Claimes The Fraud's discover'd Violet spoile's the games By seasonable Protest when Great Ones did decree To th' Nation 's Dammage to haue set them free Reward is due ô lett it not bee said The Worke is don But Workman never paid Tho Violet A TRUE NARRATIVE OF THE PROCEEDINGS In the Court OF Admiraltie Against the Ships Sampson Salvador and George their Silver and Lading AND An Accompt presented what Silver was taken out of the said Ships and coined in the Tower being above two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds all which Silver the Common-wealth got by the chargeable Prosecution and Discovery of Tho. Violet who saved the Commonmon-wealth this Silver Dec. 16. 1652. As in this Narrative is Attested under the Hands of many Honourable Persons Together with several Humble Proposals for the Profit and Honour of this Common-wealth in saving them many score of thousand pounds 1. By making an Act against transporting Gold and Silver 2. Against the culling and melting down the heavy currant Coines of the Nation By removing the Obstructious of the Mint and wayes propounded to make the Mint constantly coyn money 4. For the just and due Regulation of the Manufactures of gold and silver Lace to prevent the daily cheats put upon the Wearers 5. And for the making of a publick Copper Farthing and a great Revenue propounded to be monethly paid out of the same for the relief of the maimed Soldiers And several other Particulars humbly represented to the Parliament and Councel of State By THO VIOLET of London Goldsmith Deut. 24. 14 15. Thou shalt not oppresse an hired Servant that is poor and needie whether he be of thy brethren or of the strangers that are in thy land within thy Gates Ver. 15. At his day thou shalt give him his Hire neither shall the Sun go down upon it for he is poor and setteth his heart upon it lest he cry against thee to the Lord and it be sinne unto thee LONDON Printed Anno Dom. 1659. To the RIGHT HONOURABLE John Lord Bradshawe Lord Commissioner of the Great Seal of England Tho. Lord Fairfax Maj. Gen. Lambert Sir Arthur Hesilrigge Sir Henry Vane Sir James Harington Lieut. Gen. Ludlow Lord Whitlock Lieut. Gen. Fleetwood Josiah Barners Esq Coll. Morley Tho. Scot Esq Col. Sydenham Henry Nevill Esq Tho. Chaloner Esq All of them of the most honourable Councel of State May it please your Honours IT is a curious Art to make a Watch and he must be a skilful Artist that exactly sets a broken Bone God for the sins of this Nation hath several times in this Age took the Clock of this Common-wealth in pieces and many of the pins and wheels have bin and are misplaced It now requires great skill to place and set every thing in its due order Your Honours have a great work to do God hath broken us in pieces and divided our Councels and none can unite us but he that hath wounded us he only must cure us and bless and sanctifie all lawful means or else our disjoynted bones will never be truly knit or exactly set For this end hath God apointed a select number of honourable persons of which number your Honours are Members whose heart God hath fixed for this great Work to revive the stones out of the heap of rubbish and to build the Walls of our Jerusalem though the Sanballats Arabians and Ammonites be worth and conspire altogether to fight against Jerusalem to hinder this VVork Right Honourable if you will finish this good VVork you have begun you must do as Nehemiah did keep good watch day and night because of your enemies lest your adversaries serve you as they served Nehemiah for they say you shall not know nor see till we come in the midst amongst them and slay them and cause the work to cease if this be not prevented this Parliament will have a fatal end Presidents in Courts of Justice is a great Guide to all just Judges especially when they have been made by the Grave and Learned and are recorded in the Sacred Bible the chiefest Book that every good Statesman walks by such Statesmen that walks by Machiavels rules the wicked Maximes of these troublesom times they do as Saul did when he left God and went to the VVitch of Endor he pretended to go to speak with Samuel and met with the devil so these times have produced many a Fast the pretence hath bin to seek God and Peace when the true end hath bin to get to be the Head of a Party and Faction to make division and to get the Peoples money The People are now very well acquainted with such canting and as we know after a flash of lightning there comes a clap of thunder so hath it many times fallen out after Fasts hath followed an erecting of an High Court of Justice or one remarkable oppression or other I humbly present you here in this Epistle with a good President made by a great Statesman Nehemiah such a one as God hath recorded was a Saviour of his Countrey a Builder up of Jerusalem in the like case and in the like straits as it is now or suddenly without Gods infinite mercy will be vvith us he took this course In the first place he sought God and prayed before the God of Heaven and did not make a mock-Fast then he used the means he fell to his VVork and built up the walls of Jerusalem and did not only build but he built wisely and politickly and had there bin a Sanballat found amongst them the people would have stoned him On the lovver places behind the vvall and on the higher places he set the people after their families vvith their svvords their spears and their bovves and vvhen he had set himself in a posture of defence he made the people to be his Guard and delivered an Oration to the Rulers and People saying Be not afraid of your enemies remember the Lord which is great and terrible and fight for your brethren your sonnes and your daughters your wives and your houses I shall humbly desire your Honours to observe vvhat vvas the effect of this orderly and good posture Nehemiah and his people did not their work carelessely and by halfes and spent their precious time in needlesse questions but did all things upon sound advice For when great things are quietly without Faction disputed and the Result concluded then to use expedition and resolution is just policie But all hasty and unadvised attempts at long running brings the Common-wealth into great danger and the Actors generally into contempt and misery many men in their designes thinking to catch a great Fish but after long angling bring up a Frog this daily experience hath shewed and I can experimentally say it to be true For those men that read Machiavel and make it
great expence pains and faithfulness shall have its due and promised Reward considering that in these humble Proposals which I have propounded to your Honours for my satisfaction I take no money from the publick but humbly offer to pay in monethly a great Revenue to the maimed Souldiers to regulate the abuses of the Manufacture of Gold and Silver Thread and Lace to give a stop to the Transportation of Gold and Silver to keep your Mint constantly at work to coyn money great quantities yearly all which services are of very great consequence to the Common-wealth the consideration of the premisses I humbly leave to your Honours and remain Your Honours dutifull and humble Servant TH. VIOLET THE TABLE THO. Violets Petition to the late Protector Oliver for getting the Common-wealth two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds and to be paid his reward according to Promise p. 51. The Lord Protectors Reference 61 The Officers of the Mint their Certificate concerning this businesse 61 Several persons Affidavits of Tho. Violets Services 63 A Copy of Tho Violets Letter sent to the Lord Bradshaw 67 Mr. Wilson and Mr. Hills Letter to Mr. Thurloe 68 Doctor Walkers Warrants to the Examiners Mr. How Mr. Arnold Mr. Dorislaws Mr. Bud concerning Tho. Violet 69 Sir Tho. Viner Sir Iohn Barkstead Iohn Limbery Maurice Thomson Esq their desires to the Lord Bradshaw touching Tho. Violet 74 Doctor Walkers Certificate 90 Lord Com. Bradshaws Certificate concerning Tho. Violets service in staying this Silver 80 Alderman Francis Allen Esq his Certificate 83 Sir George Fleetwoods Certificate concerning this service and the Councel of States Promise and engagement to Tho. Violet for his reward 84 Sir Iames Harringtons Certificate of many services done in staying this Silver and in other Particulars 92 Sir Tho. Viner Sir Iohn Barkstead Gabriel Beck Capt. Iohn Limbery Edward Dendy Henry Middleton Maurice Thomson Isaac Dorislaws Esq Certificate touching Th. Violets great service in the Silver-business 99 The Late Lord Protector Richards Order to Gabriel Beck and Francis Bacon Esquires touching Tho. Violet 112 Francis Bacon and Gabriel Becks Certificate to the late Lord Protector Richard 113. Tho. Violets Petition to the late Lord Protector in the name of Edward Iohnson Esq for the making of a publick farthing 118 The late Protectors Warrant to Master Solicitor General Ellis to prepare a Grant for these Farthings 120 An Account given to Sir Thomas Viner Mr. Alexander Holt c. of this business of the Silver Ships 122 The several abuses and obstructions of the Mint with ways propounded by Tho. Violet to set the Mint on work 11 The late King Charles's Letter to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London 33 An Account of what hath been taken from me by the Parliament 38 An Order of the Councel of State requiring Th. Violet to pay fourty pounds to the Committee of Salop for certain Bonds with power to take the benefit of them and sue them as he might have done before any Sequestration 47 Iohn Corbet Esq his Receipt for the aforesaid fourty pounds 48 To the High Court of PARLIAMENT of the Common-wealth of England c. AND TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THE COUNCEL OF STATE I. THomas Violet of London Goldsmith humbly presents this Narrative concerning his staying in the Court of Admiralty the Silver in the Ships Sampson Salvador and George together with the Certificates and Reports of many Honourable Persons attesting your Petitioners great service done this Nation in his seasonable Applications to the Councel of State 1652. and his protesting in the Admiralty against the discharge of this silver and discovering the frauds of the Spanish and Flemish Claimers and in many other particulars II. Further sheweth that there was unloaded out of the aforesaid ships 1653. upon your Petitioners discovery the summe of two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds which your Petitioners stayed by his Protest in the Admiralty the same houre the Judges would have discharged it And this silver was all coyned in the Tower And Colonel Barkstead Lieutenant of the Tower paid all this treasure to the Army and Navie for the defence and service of this Common wealth in 1653. and 1654. as will appear to your Honours upon the sight of his Accounts concerning this businesse III. These Particulars with many others are certified to his late Highnesse Oliver Lord Protector under the hands of Col. Barkstead Lieutenant of the Tower Alderman Viner Capt. John Limbery Doctor Walker Serjeant Dendy Maurice Thomson Treasurer of the East-India Company Serjeant Middleton Isaack Dorislawes Gabriel Beck Esquires By vertue of his late Highnesse reference directed to them 13. July 1657. IV. The true Copies of these original Petitions and Certificates and several other Transactions touching this silver are here presented to your Honours view to the end your Petitioner may after so long a delay of Justice have his dearly earned reward Your Honours upon perusal of all the Premisses will see it clearly proved your Petitioners great expence eminent zeal faithfulnesse and integritie with the hazard of his life in this service of the Common-wealth Your Honours Humble Servant THO. VIOLET May 25. 1659. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE The LORDS and others of the COUNCEL OF STATE VIZ. Thomas Lord Fairfax Major Gen. Lambert Col. John Desborough Col. James Bury John Bradshaw Serjeant at Law Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Sir Horatio Townsend Sir Arthur Hesilrigge Sir Henry Vane Lieut Gen. Ludlow Lieut. Gen. Fleetwood Major Saloway Col. Dixwell Mr. Reynolds Mr. Josiah Barners Col. Morley Mr. Thomas Scot Mr. Robert Wallop Sir James Harrington Col. Walton Col. John Jones Col. Sydney Col. Sydenham Mr. Hen. Nevill Mr. Thomas Chaloner Col. Downs Lord Chief Justice St. John Col. Thompson Lord Whitlock Sir Robert Honywood Sir Archibald Johnson May is please your Honours YOur Petitioner did about the eighth of Decemb. 1652. deliver into the Councel of State a Written Paper wherein was discovered that at that present time a Practice and Combination was set on foot by several Merchants and others to deceive the Common-wealth of a great quantity of silver above three hundred thousand pounds which was then aboard the Ships Sampson Salvador and St. George then riding about Black-wall Upon Examination of this Businesse at the Councel of State the Councel within few dayes after commanded and engaged your Petitioner in this service and your Petitioner did faithfully promise the Councel his uttermost endeavours to discover this fraud and at his own charge to prosecute this Businesse in the Court of Admsraltie The Judges of the Court of Admiraltie did appoint the 16. day of Decemb. 1652. to give sentence for clearing these ships and silver being to the value of about three hundred thousand pounds in silver as appears by the Certificate of the Officers of the Mint Whereupon your Petitioner came into the Court of Admiralty the very day and houre the Judges were clearing the said silver and at his own peril made his Protest in the Admiraltie
against the Judges of that Court and against all further Proceedings of theirs to discharge this Silver in the aforesaid ships till your Petitioners Witnesses were examined and shewed the Judges many Reasons being for the advantage and safety of the Common-wealth for respiting for some dayes their Judgment Thereupon the Court of Admiralty adjourned till the next day and the Judges being very angry with your Petitioner for making the aforesaid Protest and for what your Petitioner had said to the Judges in open Court the Judges thereupon command your Petitioner to attend the Council of State that very day in the afternoon being 16 of December 1652. the Petitioner to answer before them for his mildemeanor so the Iudges were pleased to call it that morning in the Court of Admiralty Your Petitioner did accordingly attend the Council of State that day 16 Dec. in the afternoon and upon full examination of the Business before them the Council stayed the silver and blamed the Judges for their complaining of your Petitioner and your Petitioner had thanks from the Council for what hee had done in his timely and seasonable staying this silver and commanded to use what expedition hee could in proving that great quantities of the silver then aboard these ships appertained to the Merchants of Amsterdam Thereupon your Petitioner undertook to the Council of State to disprove the Spanish and Flemish clamors and the Spanish Embassadors pretences to all this silver in the aforesaid ships And this discovery your Petitioner undertook to make to the Council of State at his own charge The Council of State upon the considerations aforesaid and to incourage your Petitioner to proceed they did faithfully promise your Petitioner for this his service and discovery that your Petitioner should be paid the sum of eleven thousand pounds out of the silver that should be taken out of these ships and converted to the use of the Common-wealth this summe of eleven thousand pounds being the value of your Petitioners Estate which the Parliament 1643. upon mis-information against your Petitioner had sequestred And the Council of State declared unto your Petitioner That if your Petitioner should fail to make good his undertaking in disproving the Spanish and Flemish Claims to all this silver then aboard the ships Sampson Salvador and George that the undertaking would undo your Petitioner for upon your Petitioners failing to make good proof of what he had undertaken the Councel of State would report your Petitioner to the Parliament to be an Incendiary therefore it highly concerned your Petitioner to be well assured of what he had undertaken and also to be justly dealt withal when he had done this service Upon the assurance of the Councel of State upon the aforesaid termes your Petitioner engaged and undertook this great difficult and dangerous service wherein your Petitioner employed above ten several persons for about two years and laid out of Purse besides all his time and hazard the summe of above seven hundred sixty five pounds which he payes interest for at this very day as is deposed by several Witnesses whom your Petitioners employed in this service and this is attested under the hands of several Honourable Persons to the late Lord Protector Oliver May it please your Honours besides this service your Petitioner did for the Common-wealth he discovered to the Councel of State in Jan. 1651. That from August to December 20. 1652. the Admiralty had discharged fifty eight ships all loaden with rich merchandize I printed the several daies of the moneth they were cleared out of the Court of Admiralty the names of the ships and the Master of the ships names and the parties to whom these ships and merchandize was delivered at London and that many of these ships after their discharge from hence unloaded their merchandize at Amsterdam for the account of the Dutch to the value of many hundred thousand pounds Upon examination of this Business the Council of State had certain intelligence from beyond sea that this information was true and these Letters were remaining in Captain Bisheps hands who can testifie the truth Whereupon your Petitioner humbly presented to the Council of State in writing several waies for the preventing this abuse for the future and the Judges in the Admiraltie was removed and other Iudges put in their places with particular instructions for the prevention of the former frauds put on the Nation By which discovery made by your Petitioner the Common-wealth got many score prizes which were condemned as Dutch prizes when they could not bring attestations from Hamborough under the Parliament Agents hands viz Mr Bradshaws that they really and truly belonged to Hamborough The value of the Ships and goods by your Petitioners means discovered was amounting to several score of thousand pounds besides all the silver your Petitioner stayed which the Dutch had cozen ed us of had not your Petitioner acquainted the Council in Ianuary 1652 with the former cheats put on the Nation in printing a list of 58 Saile of ships most of them Dutch prize which the Common-wealth lost for want of keeping a good Watch on the Actions of their Judges and Officers in the Admiralty in those times 1652. 1653. It was nothing for ordinary Proctors in the Admiralty to get foure of five thousand pounds a yeare by cozening the State in their prizes till your Petitioner by his discovery to the Councel of State spoiled their Trade for a great part of it This discovery got your Petitioner the envy of many hundred Merchants and others in the Admiralty There was not a motion nor any Proceedings in the Court of Admiralty for about three yeares touching the Silver Ships Sampson Salvador and George their silver and lading but every day your Petitioner was required to give his attendance therein at the Court of Admiralty and forced to employ at his own charge many persons and your Petitioner was required by Doctor Walker at his own charge to employ many persons to breviate and have inspection into all the Records Acts Bills of lading Pleas Extracts Allegations and Interrogatories Witnesses Depositions in the Silver businesse as will appear under the hands of several persons employed and paid by your Petitioner for that service Your Petitioner did several times move the Councel of State in December January February March 1652. to unload the silver out of the ships to avoid the embezeling thereof there being above an hundred thousand pounds stollen out of these ships while the silver was in the River there are bills of lading in the Admiralty for silver that was never delivered into the Tower to the value of above a hundred thousand pounds in silver which bills appertain to these ships Sampson Salvador and George Your Petitioner presented to the Councel of State in 1652. 1653. several frauds and abuses put upon the Common-wealth in the Sale of their Prizes Ships and Merchandize by the indirect meanes of some Officers they intrusted to sell the same
merchants transport gold and silver without licence from the State and to keep good intelligence and watch upon their actions that so the gold and silver endeavored to be unlawfully transported may be seiz'd and forfeited For a man to be his Crasts-master in this mystery requires as many years study as to be a Doctor of Physick and is never to be learn'd by looking on an Vrinal Your Petitioner humbly saies The Parliament had made a better bargain to have given these Doctors of Physick fortie thousand pounds for a pension than to suffer that dammage they have received by the not imploying of the mint daily gold and silver being imported into this Nation and before ever it be coyned transported out again without licence to the great dammage and weakning of the stock of this Common wealth There is silver and gold vast and great quantities brought daily from beyond the seas and landed in this Nation without paying of Custom and this verie silver and gold is stoln out of the Nation again before ever it be coyned without licence or paying of Custom so here is a Trade to the value of some hundreds of thousands of pounds by the year for the particular profit of some covetous merchants and the Common-wealth have no profit either by Excise Custom or Coynadge and till skilfull men in these Mysteries be imployed in the Mint this mischief will not be stopt or removed either by Doctors or Apothecaries Your Petitioner did formerly offer and now doth humby offer unto your Honours that he may be impowered and commissioned to be master-Worker and melter of the Mint to undertake now at this time to set your Mint to work notwithstandidg the present Warre with Spain provided your Petitioner may be impowered by your Honours order for the execution of what he shall humbly propound for the honour of the State and service of the Common-wealth in this business God send your Honours to order all these abuses by mee here presented may be prevented for the future and care taken where corrupt ignorant and unskilfull persons are got into imploiment for the publick they may be removed and trustie skilfull Officers put in their imploiments Your Petitioner humbly saies This is a sure waie to abate and lessen the great engagements of the Commonwealth when Drones are discharged and Bees imploied for if your Honours take away the cause the cure of the disease followes of course OLIVER the late Lord Protector the 20. of April 1653. dismisses the Parliament and the same day put a Guard of souldiers aboard the aforesaid ships Sampson Salvador and St. George then riding about Black wall And shortly after unloads all the silver into the Mint which your Petitioner stayed for the use of the Common-wealth your Petitioner can prove it by the Account of the Mint that the silver which was taken out of the said ships beside what was stoln and embezeled amounted to the summe of two hundred seventie eight thousand odde hundred pounds and Mr. Lieut. of the Tower Col. Barkstead paid out all this great Treasure In reducing the Dutch paying the Army and other services for the Publick as will appear by the particulars of his Accompt and your Petitioner never had farthing so that this great Treasure your Petitioner stayed was every pennie laid out in defence of the Common-wealth and subduing the Dutch It was a great mercie of God to this Nation that your Petitioner prevented the Dutch from getting this great Treasure at that juncture of time 1652. that silver would have made work for us else had the Dutch had it When your Petitioner see all this money disposed of by Col. Barkstead and not one penny thereof paid unto your Petitioner according to the promise of the Councel of State yet at the same time your Petitioner to be daily commanded and enjoined by the late Lord Protector Oliver and by his Councel and by the Judges of the Admiraltie and Doctor Walker 1653. 1654. dailie required at his own charge to attend and prosecute this businesse and to pay about ten other persons for about two yeares who assisted your Petitioner in the prosecution of this businesse as appears by the Warrants of the Councel of State Court of Admiraltie Doctor Walker all of them dated after the 20. of April 1653. which Warrants and Orders your Petitioner hath ready to produce to your Honours Your Petitioner finding this unmerciful and hard usage in this businesse to be dailie forced to borrow great summes of money at interest and to expend the same in prosecuting this business in the Admiraltie to maintain the States claim to this silver against the claimers and your Petitioner never to receive one peny from the States for his service he was enforced to petition the late Lord Protector OLIVER for his reward and satisfaction according to the promise of the Councel of State his Highness being one of the Members that had faithfully promised your Petitioner the summe of eleven thousand pounds when your Petitioner first undertook this service before Col. Bingham and Mr Sadler In his Petition hee sets forth the several services chargeable and dangerous imploiment together with the Councel of States engagements and promise to pay your Petitioner eleven thousand pounds for this his discovery and service and named several of the Councel of State which knew this to be a truth and that your Petitioner wholly relied upon the Councels Promise as aforesaid which was the true cause that engaged your Petitioner to undertake this difficult chargeable and dangerous task and emploiment And had not your Petitioner borrowed above seven hundred sixty five pounds and expended it all in this service which he payes interest for at this very day besides your Petitioners daily attendance in the Admiralty with about ten persons whom he paid and employed in this business to assist your Petitioner had not your Petitioner done this the Common-wealth had lost every penny of this great treasure The late Lord Protector Oliver upon your Petitioners addresses unto him and after his daily attendance for above two years with Petitions at Whitehall and Hampton Court for his dearly earned reward the reasons wherefore the Protector delayed your Petitioner so long before his reference touching this businesse was he knew the Referrees would certifie the debt and that he knew I could prove his particular Promise for the paying of your Petitioner eleven thousand pounds for this service which he made me at the Cock pit at Whitehall before Col. Bingham and Mr. Sadler who were of the then Councel of State and brought me to him to give him a particular Account what your Petitioner had done in this businesse your Petitioner by his importunity and daily attendance following him every day got his Highnesse Oliver at last to referre the aforesaid Petition to Col. Barkstead Lieut. of the Tower Mr. Alderman Vyner Capt. John Limbery Doctor Walker Advocate for his Highnesse Gabriel Beck Serjeant Dendy Maurice Thomson
Treasurer of the East India Company Serjeant Middleton Isaac Dorislawes Esquires or any three or more of them to take your Petitioners Petition into their consideration to examine all the premisses and thereupon to state and certifie your Petitioners case to his late Highnesse Oliver Lord Protector together with their opinions upon the whole matter touching your Petitioners reward and satisfaction for this service as appears by the original Petition and Reference All the aforenamed Referrees upon reading this Petition and the transactions thereupon after many dayes meeting held it very necessarie for the clearing of the truth to acquaint the Lord Bradshaw Sir James Harrington Sir George Fleetwood and Francis Allen Esquires with your Petitioners Petition and his Highnesse Reference thereupon in regard your Petitioner had named all the aforesaid Honourable perjons in his Petitions and Papers amongst others who both knew your Petitioners services touching the staying this silver and were privie to the Councel of States Ingagements and Intentions to pay your Petitioner eleven thousand pounds when your Petitioner undertook to disprove the Spanish and Flemish Claimers And upon Consideration of the Councels promise to your Petitioner as aforesaid was the cause that made your Petitioner undertake this difficult chargeable and dangerous service And the aforesaid referrees received Certificates from everie one of the aforesaid honorable persons which Certificates set forth the great service done by your Petitioner viz. That your Petitioner was upon his first undertaking of this Business looked on by the then Councel of State as the Great Wheel that set all on work and set on foot this discovery in getting the State this great Treasure or else the State had lost it in the Admiraltie and that these Actings of your Petitioner accompanied with great charge hazzard and trouble was the Cause sine qua non of the after-benefit received by the State upon conversion of this silver That the Councel of States Ingagements and intentions to the Petitioner at his first assuming the imploiment was not without good reason uncommitted to writing for avoiding of misconstruction And the Councel of State did not onely promise the Petitioner the restoration of his Estate for his particular service of staying the Silver but did also promise to confer upon the Petitioner an Honorable Memorial and had not the Petitioner had a real assurance from the Councel of State in 1652. for the paying of him the summe of eleven thousand pounds the whole Businesse touching this Silver had been lost and left undertaken had not the Petitioner had such an insurance and promise and also relied on the same for a just Performance It is true they certifie that for some Reasons of State the Petitioners Thomas Violets assurance and reward was not committed to writing to avoid clamour and lewd tongues but this omission was not to frustrate the Petitioner of his dearly earn'd Reward the restoration of his Estate or eleven thousand pounds These are but the Heads of the aforesaid Certificates the Originals certifie all matters touching this Business at large under the hands of the Lord Bradshaw Sir James Harrington Sir George Fleetwood Francis Allen Esquires every person severally certifies all the aforesaid referrees their particular knowledge of this Business Col. Barkstead Sir Thomas Viner and all the before-named Referrees upon consideration of these Certificates and upon sight of the attestation of the Officers of the Mint and several other Witnesses who depose That Thomas Violet was several times offered and might have received from the Claimers of Silver Merchants of Flanders then in London the summe of ten thousand pounds to have desisted the prosecution of this Business in the Court of Admiralty and to have betrayed the trust which the Councel of State imposed on him to make a discovery of Spanish and Flemish fraudulent Claimes and also upon sight of several orders of the Councel of State the Judges of the Admiralty and Doctor Walker and several depositions taken in the Petitioners case upon the whole matter all the aforesaid Referrees certifie his late Highness Oliver Lord Protector viz. That upon Examination of Thomas Violets Petition they finde that the Petitioner is a person who not onely deservs the making good of the Councel of States Ingagement and Promise unto him for the true paying your Petitioner Tho. Violet the summe of eleven thousand pounds but upon due consideration had of the great Travel Charge and Hazard which your Petitioner hath undergone in the Prosecution of this businesse and your Petitioners great faithfulness in refusing to be corrupted or betray the interest of the Common-wealth as hath been fully proved unto them as also upon the Attestation of Sir George Fleetwood and Sir James Harrington concerning the Promise of the Councel of State to your Petitioner Tho. Violet for the restoration to him his estate or eleven thousand pounds all these Referrees report to his late Highnesse Oliver Lord Protector that they humbly conceive upon the whole matter of Fact that over and above the payment of eleven thousand pounds that there be some signal reward conferred on the Petitioner for this his eminent service that all other for the future may be encouraged to serve the interest of the Common-wealth with that singular faithfulness and integrity as the Petitioner hath done and they all certifie that they finde It proved that the Petitioner by his chargeable prosecution of this business in the Court of Admiralty hath contracted debts amounting unto the summe of seven hundred sixty five pounds which the Petitioner borrowed at interest all his own estate being under sequestration ever since 1643. besides several other great summes of money your Petitioner borrowed at interest for his support ever since his sequestration upon consideration whereof they finde the Petitioners Engagements are very pressing upon him and they all humblie offer that for the present lest the Petitioner should be thrown into prison for the very moneys he hath expended in getting the Common-wealth this great treasure of two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds the just accompt thereof they had seen presented unto them by Col. Barkstead That his Highnesse Oliver Lord Protector in consideration of all the Premisses would be pleased presently to pay the Petitioner Tho. Violet some considerable sum of money to pay off his great engagements for the State and for his support for the future according to his quality and that the remainder of the money to make up the summe of eleven thousand pounds be paid unto him according to the Promise of the Councel of State the Petitioner Tho. Violet having served the Common-wealth in this great businesse with a great deal of resolution faithfulness and activity This Report is at large signed and certified to his late Highness Oliver Lord Protector the first of May 1658. by Col. Barkstead Lieutenant of the Tower Mr. Alderman Vyner Gabriel Beck John Limbery Edward Denly Henry Middleton Maurice Thomson Treasurer of the East-India Company Isaac
that the Common-wealth ought to pay it and had not the Government beene changed I am assured from several honourable persons his late Highness the Lord Richard Cromwell would have seen mee justlie paid the summe of eleven thousand pounds and given me an honourable reward and Imploiment over and above Your Petitioner implores your Honours to consider of all his premisses and that as your Petitioner did this Nation the greatest service that ever was done by any man of his condition in saveing this Common-wealth two hundred seventie eight thousand pounds which was all imployed in defence of this Common-wealth Your Petitioners humble prayer is after so long a delay of Justice he may have his dearly earned reward the payment of the summe of eleven thousand pounds in such wayes and in such maner as your Petitioner may be inabled to pay off the great ingagements he hath layd out in this service and to support himself according to his quality and that others seeing your Justice may for the future bee incouraged to serve the interest of the Nation with that integrity activity and faithfullnesse as your Petitioner hath done with the hazard of his life and all that hee had dear in this world your Petitioner having ingaged his Credit and borrowed above fifteen hundred pounds which hee expended every penny in this service and in his attendance to geâ—t satisfaction and at this day oweth the summe at interest to save and gett the State this great Treasure besides all his paines and hazard These several Services and Proposals done by your Petitioner for the honour and profit of the Common wealth your Honours will see them certified under the hands of the Lord Bradshaw Sir James Harrington Sir George Fleetwood and Francis Allen Esquire and that your Petitioner was faithfully promised the restoration of his estate by divers members of Parliament and Councel of State for several chargeable services your Petitioner had done the Parliament some years before from the year 1648 to 1652. before your Petitioner undertook to stay the silver in the ships Sampson Salvador and George and this is clearly demonstrated by the said Certificates But upon your Petitioners happy and successful staying of this silver and undertaking at his own charge to prosecute this discogery in the Admiralty upon the Promise of the Councel of State 1652 to pay your Petitioner the summe of eleven thousand pounds for this service in lieu of his sequestred estate which for so many yeares your Petitioner had solicited both the Councel of State and Parliament to have it Sir James Harrington and Sir George Fleetwood fully and clearly certifie that they think themselves bound in honour and conscience to certifie the truth of their knowledge to his Highnesse Referrees according to their Request and Desire concerning the Councel of States promises and engagements to pay your Petitioner the summe of eleven thousand pounds that so your Petitioner may have his dearly earned reward for this great service and not labour for the State in vain And that if the rule of the Gospel were observed to do to other men as they would be done unto your Petitioner could not be many weeks without receiving eleven thousand pounds and over and above an honorable reward and memoriall from the State for this great service and that the State in Honour and Justice was obliged to pay your Petitioner the above said summe and that no doubt but so faithfull a service so carefully and painfully performed would have a happy issue and the Petitioners reward from the State would bee sutable to the greatnesse of the service upon perusal of Sir James Harrington and Sir George Fleetwoods Certificates your Honours will see this more fully set down and amplified The Lord Bradshawes Certificate for the substance is to the same effect so is Francis Allens Esquire who being a Goldsmith knew experimentally the great abilities in your Petitioner to regulate and reforme the abuses in the Mint and the services and overtures of your Petitioner 1650. 1651. 1652. offered the Councel of State both to set the Mint on work and to give a stop to the transporting of Treasure he certifies your Petitioner had taken great paines and spent much money in this business which had the humble advice and proposition of your Petitioner then bin taken by the Parliament you had filled the Nation at this day with Gold and Silver and constantly imployed your Mint to the great honour and profit of the Nation for all the Warr with Spain Your Petitioner at this day humbly offers to set the Mint on work so he may be imployed and not labour for the State in vaine for your Petitioner to take the paines and bee at the Charge and other persons who have no skill in this businesse to run away with the profit Your Petitioner hath too often bin so served by great men in power and shall not do it againe for any ones pleasure whosoever Thus have I humbly presented my services done for the State and the Councils ingagements and promise for your Petitioners satisfaction It is a Rule set down by God and all Nations Christians Turkes and Jewes that there are degrees of rewards for vertue and degrees of punishments for vice the degrees of Punishments and Rewards are in all well-regulated Kingdomes and Common wealths put down and the people know them that so they may not offend and there is no offence to be justly punished either by Gods Law or Mans before a Law be made to give men the Rule for the Apostle saith I had not known sin but by the Law And that punishment that is inflicted on a man before a Law made to prohibit or restrain a man from doing the same let it be inflicted by what Power soever must needs be a very great affliction and punishment sent of God for a mans other sins and cannot as to men be said to be regularly done especially where the offence is taken and the punishment so heavy as it shall deprive a man of all his estate and keep a man almost foure yeares a Prisoner in which time your Petitioner spent eight hundred pounds for charges whereof nine hundred twenty eight dayes of that time he was kept a close Prisoner without ever being brought to a legal Trial according to the Fundamental Lawes of the Nation by a Jury the birth-right of every Englishman rich or poor but after a mans estate is squandred disposed and given away to several Persons and Committees for particular mens profit and upon false and untrue pretences to the value of above eleven thousand pounds as your Petitioner for many yeares hath proued and presented to the Councel of State and Parliament ever since the year 1648. being much about the time your Petitioner was turned out of the Tower without any legal Trial or Reason given for his Commitment or the taking away of his Estate contrary to Magna Charta and all the Laws of this Nation God having given
your Petitioner his freedom your Petitioner presentlie to shew that he was oppressed and the Parliament misinformed and his estate unduly taken away given and disposed of upon false and untrue pretences for particular mens profit to several Committees and others the Petitioner did humblie addresse himself for relief to many honourable Members of Parliament and Councel of State and presented them with the true estate of his sufferings in Print The Cause of your Petitioners sufferings was for bringing up a Letter from Oxford 1643. from the late King who had then a desire to emploie and make your Petitioner Master-worker of his Mint at Oxford which place the King did give me there and the Petitioner had an Order from the House of Parliament and a Passe from the Lord General Essex about the 28. of Decemb. 1643. to go to Oxford to the King upon condition to put in security in a thousand pounds which security I did accordingly give to make good my Exchange for one Mr. Hesilrigge and did accordingly bring up my Exchange to London and left it with Sir Arthur Hesilrigge about the 3. of Jan. 1643. And the late King Charles upon my Exchange as aforesaid commanded me to bring up a Letter from him to the Lord Mayor Court of Aldermen and Common-Councel of the City of London I do confesse I honoured and loved the late King for many benefits received from him and it was my dutie to obey him as my King though I had never received benefits from him but had I known there had been any Act or Order of Parliament to prohibite me or any other to bring up the said Letter at that time or that the Parliament would have taken any offence against me for doing thereof my principles at that time and the whole course of my Actions since hath clearlie demonstrated to your Honours and the World that I would have humblie declined that emploiment for I have ever been an Honourer of the Parliament and my Countrie as this Narrative will demonstrate to posteritie The Tree is known by its fruit and no man I humblie conceive in the Nation of my condition hath yielded better fruit or ever got the Common wealth two hundred seventie eight thousand pounds in silver but your Petitioner At the same instant of time Van Trump was in the Downes with the Dutch Fleet upon the clearing of these ships out of the Admiraltie to have conveyed them to Holland This was a real Plot not a feined one as appears by the Commissions this day in the Court of Admiraltie under the Great Seal of Holland to De Weet and De Ruyter their Vice-Admirals to guard these ships from the English upon the Petitions of the Merchants of Amsterdam I pray God England never forgets this deliverance nor the Councel of State the Performance of their Promise to your Petitioner for this discovery your Petitioner going in danger of his life by the Claimers for several yeares for doing of this service Here followeth the Copie of the late King Charles's Letter to the City of London To Our Trusty and Wel-beloved Our Lord Mayor and Aldermen of Our City of London and all other Our well-effected Subjects of that City Charles Rex TRustie amd Well beloved wee greet you well When wee remember the many Acts of Grace and Favour Wee and Our Royal Predecessors have conferred upon that our Citie of London and the many examples of eminent Duty and Loyaltie for which that City hath been likwise famous Wee are willing to believe notwithstanding the great defection wee have found in that place That all men are not so farr degenerate from their affection to Vs and to the peace of the Kingdom as to desire a continuance of the miseries they now feel And therefore beeing informed That there is a desire in some principal persons of that City to present a Petition to Vs which may tend to the procuring a good understanding between Vs and that Our City whereby the peace of the whole Kingdom may bee procured Wee have thought fit to let you know That wee are ready to receive any such Petition and the Persons who shall bee appointed to present the same to Vs shall have a safe conduct And you shall assure all our good Subjects of that Our City whose hearts are touched with any sense of Duty to Vs or of Love to the Religion and Laws established in the quiet and peaceable fruition whereof They and their Ancestors have enjoyed so great Happiness That wee have neither passed any Act nor made any Profession or Protestation for the maintenance and defence of the true Protestant Religion and the Liberties of the Subject which wee will not most strictly and religiously observe And for the which wee will not bee alwaies ready to give them any security that can bee desired And of those Our gracious Letters Wee expect a speedy Answer from you And so Wee bid you farewell Given at our Court at Oxford in the nineteenth year of our Reign December 26. 1643. By his Majesties Command GEORGE DIGBY I do most humbly desire the Common Council of the Citie of London to certifie your Honours if ever amongst all their Records ever since the foundation of their City they find such a sad President as mine is And whether that any Messenger from any former King of England suffered the loss of his Estate to his damage at this day above twenty thousand pound for bringing them or any their Ancestors the like Letter for peace as I did from the late KING And at that time viz. in December 30. 1643. there was sent and came from Oxford the Writs weekly under the Great Seal of England without any Countermand My hard usage After-ages will hardly believe had I not Printed it to Posterity that it may serve as a warning to prevent other Persons from beeing got in the like Snares for the future For this cause I Suffered Imprisonment in the Tower almost four years for bringing up the aforesaid Letter from Oxford to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City of London in December 1643. although I had an Order from the Hous of Commons as appears by their Journal Book and a Pass from the Lord General Essex to go to Oxford for an exchange for Mr. Hesilrigge Sir Arthur Hesilrige his Brother and I left my Exchange with Sir Arthur Hesilrigge about the 2. of January 1643. which were both procured for mee by Mr. Theophilus Ryley Scout-master General of the City of London who was authorized to execute that place by the Common Council of London and I was authorized by the said Mr. Ryley to do the same Mr. Ryley being impowered by the Parliament and Common Council of London to hold Intelligence in any the Kings Quarters as by his Orders hee shewed me Mr. Ryley was a man of a known approved Integritie and in great esteem with the then Parliament and Citie of London at that time and would not have acted
Which Persons before-named had contrived by forged Bills of Lading false Claimes and Claimers with other fraudulent pretences to get cleared the Court of Admiralty the aforesaid Silver and Ships and for the effecting thereof there was no Cost spared nor Stone left unturned as appeared by intercepted Letters of Mr James Steniere a principal Actor to have this Silver cleared which Letters caused the said Mr. Steinere to be Commited to the Serjeant at Armes attending the Parliament and by Mr. Pompey Callendrens Letter there was fifty in the hundred offered in Amsterdam to ensure the said Silver and Ships out of our hands Many of the Council of State did upon the intercepting these Letters concerning the Silver Ships believe that the Spanish Ambassador had for a peece of money to be paid him claimed this Silver as the King of Spaines Treasure and his Subjects colourably but they knew not which way to discover it and to prove the fraud that so the State might have the Silver as Prize there lay the mistery that then the Council could not fathom and that made the Lord Bradshawe and severall of the Council of State to ingage your Supplicant in this service they telling your Petitioner that if this fraude was to be found out they were assured your Petitioner could do it if your Petitioner would be true to the State whereupon your Petitioner did faithfully promise the Council of State his uttermost endeavours to discover this fraud and within three dayes after your Petitioner hearing the Parliament had made an Order upon the request of the Spanish Ambassador for the Judges of the Admiralty to proceed to a speedy sentence concerning these Ships and Silver thereupon about 8th of Decemb 1652. your Petitioner made the Lord Bradshaw and Council acquainted that hee had certain Intelligence and would prove it upon the perill of his Life by many credible Witnesses that a great part of this Silver appertained to severall Merchants of the united Provinces and that these Ships having unfree Goods in them were by the Civill Law forfeited to the State and upon the aforesaid Paper which your Petitioner delivered into the Council of State the Council of State sent for Doctor Walker your Highness Advocate who told the Council of State that if what was alleadged in that Paper could bee made good the Ships should bee stayed let the Judges say what they pleased May it please your Highness The Judges of the Admiraltie appointed 16th Decemb. 1652. to give sentence for the Clearing or Condemning these Ships Sampson Salvador and George and they ordered the Commissioners for Dutch prize Goods to bee then in the Court but the Commissioners Mr. Hill and Mr. Wâ—lson declared unto your Supplicant the day before they were to attend in the Admiralty that they were Merchants and a great part of their Goods and Estates in Spaine and therefore they durst not for feare of having an Imbargo on their Estates in Spaine bee seen in the Court of Admiralty to stopp these Silver Ships but they earnestly prayed and advised your Petitioner that if hee knew any way to entitle the State to the Silver in those Ships hee should doe the Common-wealth very great and acceptable service and save the State all the Silver which otherwise would be discharged that morning for then there was no other person appeared to stay these ships and silver but your Supplicant either at the Councel of State or with Doctor VValker your Highnesse Advocate And this Doctor VValker knowes to be a truth In pursuance of entituling the State to this silver in the aforesaid ships your Supplicant received a Command from the Counsel of State 13. Decemb. 1652. That if your Supplicant would undertake at his own peril to disprove the Spanish Ambassadours Claim and to prove that great quantities of the silver in the aforesaid ships appertained to Merchants of the united Provinces and Amsterdam by good and legal Witnesses That then notwithstanding the Order of Parliament your Petitioner should make his Protest in the Court of Admiraltie against the discharge of the said silver till his Witnesses were examined The Councel of State declaring that if the Court of Admiralty committed your Petitioner for making his Protest then the Councel would presently hear and take cognizance of the same businesse The Councel of State further declared that if your Supplicant should faile to make good what he had undertaken he would be utterly undone for that they would certifie your Petitioner to be an Incendiary in presuming to contradict the Spanish Ambassadour and Duke Leopoldus Agents in affirming the silver belonged for a great part thereof to Merchants of Amsterdam when the Ambassadour on his honour affirmed it was all for his Catholick-Majestie and his Subjects Accompts and none other But if your Petitioner was so assured as he would venture his life liberty and estate to disprove the Spanish Ambassadour and Duke Leopoldus Agents claim and prove great quantities thereof to appertain to the Dutch of the united Provinces then our enemies by good and legal proof and did perform this his undertaking your Petitioner should not only be restored to all his estate the Parliament had taken from him being about eleven thousand pounds for which summe your Petitioner had for severall yeares before Petitioned the Parliament and Council of State but also your Petitioner should have both that Estate and a good reward over and above for his good service and this Promise your Supplicant had from the Council of State and the Committee for forreign affaires and that they would see your Supplicant justly and truely satisfied and upon this Honourable assurance your Petitioner engaged and undertooke this great service and when your Supplicant Petitioned the Council of State for an Order of the Council or Parliament in writing for the States just performance when hee had proved that great quantities of this Silver aboard the three aforesaid Ships appertained to the Dutch the Committee of forreign affaires and the Lord Bradshaw was much offended that your Supplicant should scruple the Justice of the State as not to bee fully rewarded according to the greatness of the service Protesting it could not enter into the heart of any honest man to scruple or suspect the Council of State so ungratefull as not to performe there promise justly with your Petitioner and had that Council of State continued in power your Supplicant is assured in his Conscience that hee had reeeived every penny of the summe promised being eleven thousand pounds out of the monies as it was Coyned The reasons that the Council of State did not give your Petitioner a written Order for the restoration of your Petitioners Estate or the value being eleven thousand pounds was that if it was done either by the Order of Parliament or Council of State then the Spanish Ambassador and other Nations would know that the Council of State had stayed that Silver contrary to an Order of Parliament and had promised a
reward to your Petitioner to make this discovery before the service done which the Lord Bradshaw told your Supplicant at the Council-Board the Council would not to get all the Silver in the Ships bee knowne to make an agreement to finde out Witnesses to have the businesse done but that your Supplicant might rest assured on just and Honourable dealings and the restoration of his Estate or eleven thousand pounds If your Petitioner did by good and legall Witnesses disprove the Spaniards Claim to this Silver in the aforesaid Ships Your Supplicant having proceeded so farre as to make his Protest in the Court of Admiraltie against the discharge of these Ships and Silver hee was necessitated to proceed to make his discovery or else the undertaking it had undone him for ever and your Petitioner acquainted the Council that to proceed in this discovery would bee very Chargeable and your Supplicant being under sequestration unsupportable but no allowance of money could bee obtained till your Petitioner had intituled the State to the Silver and this being done on your Supplicants part the Council said your Petitioner might rest assured of just and Honourable performance for the payment of your Petitioners eleven thousand pounds or his Estate Your Petitioner being at or about that time severall times offered by some Merchants of Flanders Claimers of great quantities of the Silver That if your Petitioner would desist and not prosecute this business in the Court of Admiraltie hee should have paid him downe the summe of ten thousand pounds either in money here or in Bills of Exchange upon the discharge of the Ships and Silver but your Petitioner refused the offers of the Merchants and made the Lord Bradshawe and the Council acquainted therewith and valued more the safety and Honour of the Nation and his own reputation in this undertaking then the Spanish Merchants money relying wholly on the promise of the Council of State for his just reward and satisfaction Your Supplicants Expence and Charges in the prosecuting this business in one year and a halfs time amounted to above five hundred pouuds besides what summes of money your Supplicant hath since expended hee having imployed constantly ten severall persons some of them lived in Spaine and Holland and severall monthes your Petitioner imployed severall Merchants and others in the Registry of the Admiralty to inspect into all proceedings Claimes Exhibites pleadings Bills of Lading and comparing many thousand sheetes of paper and writing and translating many Bills of Lading and other transactions all which your Petitioner did by the Command of the Council of State and upon Warrants and Orders of your Highness Advocate Doctor Walker Your Supplicant also imployed severall persons about Erisfe Limehouse Blackwall Wapping and St. Katherines to finde out where the Seamen and Passengers of these Ships lay paying all charges of their meetings boate-hire writing and transcribing all the proceedings and printing them for the Parliament to vindicate the Justice of the Nation in staying this Silver and Ships for it is proved out of the mouthes of severall Passengers that came from Spaine that very Voyage That vast and great quantities of this Silver appertained to the Dutch and was delivered in Spaine aboard these Ships for the accompts of Marchants of Amsterdam and by the Originall Letters under the States generall Seale to their vice Admiralls de Witt and de Rutter remaining now in your Highnesse Court of Admiralty commanding them to Convoy and guard these Ships from the Parliaments Forces and these Commissions or Letters were procured upon the Petition of the Merchants of Amsterdam and by severall advices remaining in the Court of Admiralty these Ships and Silver were bound for Holland It is proved that when these three Ships first set Sale to go their Voyage they went from Holland and the Ports and Harbours of the united Provinces also that severall Merchants in London for their own proper accompts had Silver Laden aboard these Ships this Voyage in Spain which cleerely disproves the Spanish Ambassadors Claime to all the Silver in these Ships to bee only for his Master and his Subjects accompts for Merchants Natives of London are not the King of Spaines Subjects It is also proved that severall parcells of Silver aboard these Ships were entered and Bills made in feined names and colourably to avoyd the taking and condemnation of the Silver and of these Ships if they were taken by the English It is also proved that although the Bills of Lading were for Oastend yet the Silver was consigned to Amsterdam It is likewise proved by severall Passengers that when these Ships had bin ten dayes at Sea and hearing of the Warrs betweene the English and the Dutch the Masters Books were altered and all the Hollanders and Zelanders names were put out and other names put in their stead and after three times perusall and examination of the names the Bookes were written out saire which were the Bookes produced in the Court of Admiraltie And the originall blotted Bookes which were the true Bookes were not to bee found but when these Ships came into the Downes the Purser of the Ship Sampson tooke them and tyed them to an Iron Barr and then threwe them into the Sea These particulers with many others are the volontary confessions of severall Passengers in these Ships being actors and parties in Spain and privie to all these actions both in Spaine and on Shipboard and the Confession of Dutch-men and Easterlings Your Petitioner hath humbly presented these proofes and Witnesses to shewe the greatness of your Supplicants service and the Justice of the Nation in staying and confiscating this Silver so that it now cleerely appeares the Claime of the Spanish Ambassador to this Silver was but a fraudulent practice in him to have cozened the State and cheated them of all this great Treasure This business your supplicant effected with the assistanee of tenn other persons in a year and halfes constant attendance sitting up many daies and nights together when your Petitioner first undertooke this service being daily threatned to bee murthered by the Claimers and expending above five hundred pounds in this service All which particulers of your Petitioners prosecuting this business and the charges hee was at for doing the same is attested upon the Oathes of four credible Witnesses who were imployed in this service and were privie to your Petitioners expence Which five hundred pounds your Petitioner borrowed and hath ever since continued at interest and is now above seven hundred pounds Severall Gentlemen lending the same to your Petitioner out of their good will to the Nation in generall and that your Petitioner might bee restored to his Estate againe and had not your Petitioner borrowed this money to enable him to do this service your Highnesse and the Parliament had lost every penny of this Silver being about three hundred thousand pounds Never any man as yet brovght and saved your Highnesse and the Parliament so much money at one time
by the said Mr. Violet in this business for almost a year and a half in the finding out and searching this business and the said Mr. Violet hath to his this Deponents knowledg expended very great summes of monie in prosecution thereof to the value of above five hundred pounds besides all his pains attendance and hazzard this Deponent having heard him several times threatned and in danger of his life by several Merchants and others Claimers of the Silver in these Ships they having declared in this Deponents presence That by the said Violets protesting in the Court of Admiraltie against the discharge of these Ships and Silver in Decemb. 1652. the day the Judges appointed for discharging the Ships and Silver and by his further prosecution against those Ships and Silver since hee hath been and is the onely cause of hindering them of their Silver and Ships And that they had had their Silver long since had not Thomas Violet undertaken the prosecution of this Business And this this Deponent hath heard affirmed several times by merchants and others claimers both at the Exchange and elsewhere And this Deponent maketh Oath That this Affidavit is for the affirming and justifying of Mr. Violets pains hazzard and service in prosecution of this Business of the Silver ships and Lading John Glover Sworn the 27th November 1654. before mee ROBERT KELLEWAY Master of the Chancery in Ordinary Thomas Ley. John Gerrel Both sworn the 25. of Novemb. 1654. before me JOHN PAGE Simon Baldwin Sworn the 17. of February 1653. before me JOHN PAGE A Coppie of my Letter sent to the Lord Bradshaw 25th of March 1653. May it please your Honour I Have left with Colonel Harbert Morley this day my Petition to the Council of State against Otho George I humbly desire your honour to take notice if the Council of State do not take some present order in it to consider what encouragement my self or any man that serves the Common-wealth in the discovery of the Ships silver and Merchandize now brought in as Dutch prize shall have when they shall bee assaulted in the streets with Stilettoes and Poniards from Cap Otho George for being instrumentall to do the State service I have been advised by several friends for this eight dayes not to come to the Exchange or Admiraltie least I should bee murthered for undertaking this business Mr. Joachim Pesler Chirurgâ—on upon the Ship Sampson now riding at Eriff of which Ship Otho George is Captaine and Jacob Elaes Otho George his Cabbin Boy hath discovered the Silver in the Ships Sampson Salvador and George that a great part thereof belongs to the Dutch For when they had been ten daies at Sea the Purser was ordered by the Captain to go into the Fore-Castle and take his Book and blot out all the names of the Hollanders and Zealanders and in their place to insert abundance of other names for which discovery Captain Otho George did stab the Chirurgeon of the Ship My humble prayer to your Honour is That the examinations taken about this business before the Lord Mayor of London in the presence of Mr. Will. Reymes John Carleton Jonathan Symonds These Examinations will imforme you at large Your Honors humble servant THO. VIOLET To Our most worthy friend John Thurloe Esquire at White-hall these present The Commissioners for Prize Goods Letter to Mr. Thurloe Mr. Thurloe WEE have a certaine discovery that a great quantity of Gold and Silver hath been stolne out of the Dutch prize ships that call themselves Hamburgers wee desire for the service of the State to have a Warrant to bring all the Bullion in the Dutch prise-ships on shoare Wee have here enclosed sent you Mr. Thomas Violets Letters to us and his proofes taken in the Office every houres delay of not taking the Silver a shoare is great losse to the State Wee finde Mr. Violet the bearer hereof very active and knowing to make these discoveries and he hath done several good and great services for the State already in this businesse We desire you to present the same to the Councel of State We are Sir Dated Dutch prize-Office Decemb. 18. 1652. Your very Friends and Servants Samuel Wilson Richard Hill A Warrant of Doctor Walkers to the Examiners Mr. How and Mr. Arnold in the Court of Admiralty December 1. 1653. MAster How and Mr Arnold in the business of the three ships Sampson Salvador and George and the Silver and Lading in those ships Mr Violet was ordered to contribute and yield his assistance to bring in Evidence on the behalf of the Common-wealth I did heretofore signe a Warrant that all the Proceedings might be shewed him He now desires that the names of all the Witnesses already produced on the behalf of the State as also the Allegations and Matter upon which they were produced as likewise the names of all Witnesses produced on the behalf of the Claimers and every one of them particularly and the Allegations and Interrogatories upon which they have been produced might be shewen to him I pray your Honours to consider whether I could employ men in this Discovery for two yeares and not to pay them for their paines and yet I have not had one penny for this service Doctor Walker knew that I employed many people every day in these Discoveries several of these being often with me both at the Admiralty and at his chamber and he knew I imployed none in this businesse but credible persons as appears here under his hand And could Doctor Walker have made this Discovery or known the tricks of these Merchants Masters of ships and Pursers by forged bills and many other subtilties of Trade which is not in his Law-books but is common amongst the Dutch Merchants in these times Dr Walker would have saved me the labour and charge for employing people to make this Discovery or from making my Protest in the Admiralty and would have had the credit and thanks from the State for this Service and Discovery to himself But this I dare say though he be a great Lawyer yet for the making of this Discovery he was then 16. Decemb. 1652. utterlie ignorant of the way to do it this being a subtilty amongst a few Merchants and not to be read in the Civil Law-books and had I not had all my Intelligence from their own creatures and plowed with their Heiser I could not have done this service or made this Discovery And upon examination of this business at the Councel of State Doctor Walker confessed that it was not his study nor his place to seek up and down to procure Witnesses or to finde out waies to entitle the State to this Silver and except I could bring legal Witnesse the State must lose this Treasure this hee declared several times before the Councel of State But if the Passengers did confesse this Silver to be loaden a great part of it for the accompt of Merchants of Ansterdam as I had undertaken they would do then
Violet there are many particulars of service alledged by the Petitioner which he affirms the Lord Bradshaw to have knowledge of It is therefore desired in order to a speedy and effectual proceeding upon the said Petition That Gabriel Beck Esquire Mr. Serjeant Dendy or either of them will take the paines to wait upon the Lord Bradshaw and in the names of the above-said Referrees to Present the Petition and Reference relating to the said Thomas Violet with the desire of the said Referrees That his Lordship upon perusal of the same will be pleased to certifie his knowledge of the premisses dated the one and twentieth day of August 1657. Tho. Vyner Jo. Barkstead Jo. Limbrey Maurice Thomson This same Letter which these aforesaid Referrees writ to the Lord Bradshaw the Referrees out of their love to Justice and to know the Truth were pleased to write to Sir James Harrington Sir George Fleetwood and Francis Allen Esquire and sent them Copies of your Petitioners Petition and Reference subscribed by the aforesaid Referrees that so these Honourable Gentlemen upon the perusal of your Petitioners Petition and the Reference thereupon would also be pleased to certifie their knowledge of the Premisses to the aforesaid Referrees which they all of them were honourably pleased to certifie accordingly For which Justice of theirs I am bound to pray for every one of them the like great Obligations your Petitioner owes to the following Referrees let the issue of this Business be what God please I have learned to submit unto his Providence I am as clay in the Potters hands And though I was very unwilling to print these Certificates and the Referrees report to their late Highnesses Oliver and Richard knowing these Honourable Gentlemen love to do the oppressed right for conscience sake without blowing a Trumpet not looking for thanks from men that so God may reward them openly Yet the present posture of my business is such that to demonstrate the many services your Petitioner hath done this Common-wealth your Honours shall see it certified under the hands of twenty four Honourable and Credible persons the Originalls I have ready to produce I humbly crave pardon of these Honourable Gentlemen for doing thereof without acquainting them therewith it is both by the Lawes of God and this Nation that out of the mouth of two VVitnesses every thing shall bee established both for mens Estates and Lifes by the Laws of this Land a Jury of twelve persons either quit or condemn all persons of what degree soever For your Honours Information your Honours upon the perusal of these Certificates would see a concatenation of faithfull and difficult service which your Petitioner at his great expence charge trouble and losse of time from the very houre your Petitioner was discharged out of the Tower viz. 1647 to the year 1651. the year before your Petitioner undertooke this great service of staying the Silver in the Ships Sampson Salvador and George In consideration of which service done as aforesaid many of the Council of State and members of this Parliament did promise your Petitioner the restoration of his Estate and they watched but for an opportunity to acquaint the Parliament therewith that so his Estate may bee restored unto him againe all these services and promises made by the Council in the year 1651. before ever this Silver was brought into the River or the State had seased on it May it please your Honours in Decemb. 1652. before your Petitioner would undertake to make his discovery of the Spanish and Flemish fraudulent Claimes to cozen the State of this Treasure and to be at the charge of prosecuting the same in the Admiralty your Petitioner was necessitated to come to a certain agreement about his estate with the Councel of State and how he should be paid for this service or else it had been a thing impossible for your Petitioner to have undertaken this task or to have gone through with it in respect the Councel of State would not advance any money to your Petitioner but would rather have let this silver go in the Admiraltie as it had gone had not your Petitioner in the very minute of time stayed it as is attested under the hands of the Officers of the Mint whereupon your Petioner was forced to borrow great summes of money to enable him to employ instruments to finde out the bottom of this fraud Several Gentlemen lent your Petitioner seven hundred sixty five pounds at interest every penny spent in this service the reason that both made your Petitioner undertake this difficult businesse and made these Gentlemen lend your Petitioner this money was upon the credit and faith of the Councel of States promise to your Petitioner that if this silver was forfeited to the State your Petitioner should faithfullie be paid out of the same the summe of eleven thousand pounds in lieu of his estate and this you will see clearly proved and my friends knew me so well that I would not to fail of your Petitioners undertaking and for that your Petitioner was and is ready to prove to the Councel of State his damage is far greater by his Sequestration and Imprisonment then eleven thousand pounds the Councel of State did faithfully promise 1652. that over and above the paying of your Petitioner the summe of eleven thousand pounds for this service of getting and staying this silver your Petitioner should have an Honourable Reward and Memorial left to posterity for the same and it was upon this score of getting my estate again off Sequestration or eleven thousand pounds satisfaction that I ever acted in this businesse of the silver or in any other publick businesse from the year 1647. to 1651. or since 1652. to this time for had I not been assured faithfully of my estate from the Councel of State and relied on just performance or had I had the least thought of such usage and putting off from day to day with References and Reports now my work is done when my business and what I deserve is as well known as the begger knows his dish or a man knows his right hand from his left I do humblie declare reallie to all the world I would have remembred that saying a man may be over just or else I would have taken more consideration then I have done of my own preservation when I was offered ten thousand pounds by the Claimers for to have conniv'd and let the State be cozened of the silver in the Admiraltie as they were at the time of many Dutch prize ships and goods It could not enter into your Petitioners heart to exspect such delaies by references and old Court tricks had I thought of such dealings I had known a waie to paie my self Had your Petitioner spent his spirits time and estate to have studied disturbance and malignancie as much as hee hath studied the honour peace profit and welfare of this Common-wealth the silver in the ships Sampson Salvador and George had
upon the State touching the silver in them contained with a great deal of industry courage and unweariednesse and indeed I conceive to his very great charge and expence besides his frequent attending the Committee for the mint in several affairs referring therunto which could not but be expensive to him also all which is submitted to your further consideration 27 Octob. 1657. Francis Allen. This is a true copy of this certificate witness Tho. Hewet John Rimmer Sir George Fleetwoods Report and Certificate upon the desire and request to him of Sir Thomas Viner Sir John Barkestead John Limbrey Maurice Thomson Esquires Gentlemen MR. Thomas Violet shewing me his Petition to his Highness and his Highness and his desires mentioned in the annexed Papers and requesting me to certifie my knowledge of his services for the Common-wealth I finde my self bound as I am a lover of Justice and Truth that would to the uttermost of my abilities have vice punished and vertue rewarded in pursuance whereof I do signifie That I have known Mr. Violet for many years he having daily recourse to my Vnele Watkins during the time he had the office of head Searcher of the Port of London They advising together to get an Act pass against transporting gold and silver and the Bill being brought by Mr. Violet into the Parliament there was several references to the Committee of the Navy Officers of the Mint and Commissioners of the Customes to certifie their opinions and they all centured and agreed in this that the Parliament if they would have the Mint set on Work and the gold of the Nation preserved the Act against transporting gold and silver then depending in the House should be passed this was Anno 1647. as appeares by the original Orders These actings of Mr. Violet for the Publick together with several proposals of Mr. Violets for the advancement of the Trade of the Nation and Mr. Violets constant attendance for many years both at the Council of State and Parliament and Council of Trade to procure the restoration of his Estate Caused many of the Members of the House and Council of Trade and my self amongst the rest to take especial notice of the Man and such of the Council and Parliament as were pleased to make use of him found in Mr. Violet a deep and profound insight into Mint-Busines and Merchants affaires And this good opinion of Mr. Violet procured him this benefit in 1651. that many of the Council of State and Parliament waited an opportunity for to move in the House for Mr. Violets indemnity and for the full restoratiln of his estate being about eleven thousand pounds And this was promised to Mr. Violet 1651. a yeare before his undertaking this great service of staying the Silver mentioned in Mr. Violets Petition and I am confident if Mr. Violet will take the paines to wait upon some of the Members of Parliament and Council of State he will have many honourable testimonies of this that I say besides my self And this was the true ground and original of Mr. Violets being taking notice of by the State of his abilities to make discoveries of the fraudulent Claims of the Spanish Ambassador to the Silver in the Ships mentioned in Mr. Violets Petition all which Silver Mr. Violet by his seasonable discovery to the State and by his protesting in the Court of Admiralty in Decemb. 1652. was the only cause of getting the State this great Treasure mentioned in the aforesaid Petition of Mr. Violet being three hundred thousand pounds and the Parliament and Council of State in 1652. imposed upon Mr. Violet the whole care of the management of this businesse in the Court of Admiralty as to the discovering part of the Spanish Ambassadors fraudulent claimes as appeares unto me by the view of several Orders and Warrants It is most apparent in the whole proceeding in this difficult service Mr. Violet had alwayes in his eye the restoration of his estate or the value of eleven thousand pounds and the particular of Mr. Violets demands to the Parliament in 1651. was about eleven thousand pounds and had he not had a real assurance from the Council of State in Decemb. 1652. for the restoration of his Estate or the value this great Business had been lost and left un undertaken by Mr. Violet had he not had both such a promise and also he relied on the same for just performance for Mr. Violet in this his high undertaking ventured all his Estate Life Liberty and expended in this service above five hundred pounds as I finde by the depositions of foure persons employed in this service I remember well the appearing of the Spanish Ambassador in the Parliament 1652. in December demanding the Ships Samson Salvador and George with their silver and lading It is very remarkable the courage of Mr. Violet in giving the Ambassador of Spaine so high a charge in 1652 1653. concerning his undue practices to defraud the Nation of this silver And yet the Ambassador never to vindicate his reputation nor to desire reparation he being here above a yeare after This shews apparently there was a design set on foot by the Spanish Ambassador to defraud the Nation in this businesse of the silver Prises for when I see the Spanish Ambassador make no Addresses to the Parliament for reparation I was assured Mr. Violet would make him let go his hold and claime of this silver mentioned in his Papers which he delivered into the House Vpon perusal of Mr. Violets Papers I observed that though the Parliament was dismissed 1653. the 20. of April yet Mr. Violets sore task continued on him still he being by that present Council looked upon as the great wheel that set all on working as to the discovering part and this appeares under the hand of Doctor Walker in several Letters writing to Mr. Doreslaws Mr. Bud the States Proctor Mr. Arnold Mr. How to require them all in their several places to let Mr. Violet and all such as he employs under him have the full view and inspection of all proceedings in the Register of the Admiralty and to require Mr. Violets attendance he paying several persons and expending in this business above five hundred pounds as I finde it sworne by several persons It is true for some reasons of State Mr. Violets assurance and reward was uncommitted to writing to avoid claimers and misconstruction of lewd tongues and to carry an even hand both in respect of the claimers and the Spanish Ambassador But this omission was not to frustrate Mr. Violet of his dearly earned reward the restoration of his Estate many of the then Council of State if they be attended by Mr. Violet will say this could never enter into their thoughts To set a man so sore a task and strictly to impose on him his daily attendance and to enable him to undergo this great and heavy weight to be assisted by ten several persons foure of them swear Mr. Violet expended besides all his
pains hazard and labour five hundred pounds in this service And I am perswaded had not Mr. Violet undertaken this businesse in that very nick of time he did 13. of Decemb. 1652. and constantly and vigilantly followed and agitated in this businesse both at the Council of State and Admiralty this great quantity of silver had been lost and the State deluded with pretended claimes and how seasonable a service this was at that conjuncture of time and the happy fruit and effect so great a treasure brought to the Nation is visibly to all men My opinion is that for the Honour and I may say profit of this Nation to encourage all men for the future to be faithful to the Common-wealth and to expose their Persons and expend both their spirits and purses for the Honour and safety of the publick as Mr. Violet hath done in this great undertaking and brought it to a happy issue That as the sum of money was the greatest that ever I think at one time was saved to this Nation by any one mans discovery so his reward should be sutable not only to have the ful restoration of his Estate which was faithfully to my knowledg promised to him both by many of the Council of State and Parliament before ever Mr. Violets undertaking this service mentioned in his Petition But this service being finished Crowns all his former undertakings and in my opinion he not only deserves the full restoration of his Estate but to have an honourable memorial left to posterity of his seasonable and faithful discoveries and services concerning the aforesaid silver That so all others may be encouraged to trust to the faithful promises of the Council of State when they shall see the States promises faithfully performed in such a conjuncture of time as when the Government was changed And I think I am bound in my conscience that taking notice of such high proposals as were propounded either in Parliament or Council of State during the time I had the honour to serve the Publick amongst which I have and do hold this service mentioned in Mr. Violets Petition to be one of the first rank that was ever presented in Parliament or Council of State when the work is finished I hold my self obliged both in honour and conscience to give the undertaker such as Mr. Violet that hath in this business laboured all along to the perfecting of the work The State having gotten by this discovery and undertaking about three hundred thousands pounds as M. Violet affirms to me so much money coined he having finished his sore task I think I am bound in justice to help him what I can that so after so great paines and hazard Mr. Violet might not work in vain And upon this account I make this certificate whereof one part is upon my own knowledge and experience I have had of Mr. Violet the other Part I refer to the Orders of Parliament Council of State Doctor Walkers warrants and the Certificates of the Officers of the Mint And I wish for the due encouragement of all active Persons that shall hereafter venture upon great and high undertakings for the profit honour and safety of this State and Common-wealth that Mr. Violets reward and compensation for this great service may alwayes be had in remembrance for no doubt so great and faithful a service discovered so seasonably will have a happy issue and the reward from the State will be sutable to the greatnesse of the Service Septemb. 22. 1657. G. Fleetwood This is a true Copy of Sir George Fleetwoods certificate on the behalf of Mr. Thomas Violet examined by me Thomas Hewet John Rimmer Doctor WALKERS CERTIFICATE I Can truly and do certifie That when the Cases of and touching the Silver in the three ships the Sampson Salvadore and St. George were depending in the Court of Admiralty touching the same being Prize And before the Argument touching the casting the Onus probandi thereupon in that Court were made Mr. Thomas Violet did repair to the said Court of Admiraltie and to my self being Advocate to the then Parliament and did produce from the then Council of State one order bearing date the 13. of Decemb. 1652. And also some other Orders of the then Council of State whereby he the said Mr. Violet was ordered to repair to the said Court of Admiralty and also to my self as Advocate for the then Parliament And to look after and take care of those said businesses touching the said Silver in the said three Ships or to such effect and accordingly hee the said Mr. Violet was therein very carefull and industrious and did by himselfe and others imployed by him and at his owne charge take great paines in following the said businesse and in searching after and examination of the said Ships Papers and Bookes and writings and other matters that were exhibited into the Registers of the Admiraltie and in making his observations thereupon and collecting thereout what might make for the State and looking after such other evidences as hee could finde out wherein hee was noe way remiss or negligent and the said Mr. Violet did openly owne the same business in Court and moved therein on behalf of the Parliament and that earnestly and with zeal and made or declared some Protest therein in the said Court of Admiraltie And did not only particularly apply himself to me but did also in my hearing privately press it to some of the then Judges of the Admiralty And I did finde that the said Mr. Violet by his much publick owning and appearing therein in the behalfe of the Parliament and then Council of State did contract much envy and ran great hazards of his person and it cannot bee but that he did lay out and expend much money to such as he imployed therin 10. March 1657. Wal. Walker I shall humbly desire your Honours to observe that Doctor Walker if hee had pleased could have certified in this his Certificate the day of the moneth I made my Protest against the Judges of the Court of Admiraltie being the 16. Decemb. 1652. against their discharging this Silver and the great Contest I had with them about it before I could get the Judges to Respite their Judgment and that to his knowledge the Judges of the Admiraltie complained of mee to the Council of State that very day in the afternoone for doing this service and that had it not bin for your Petitioner the State had bin cozened of all this Silver But because I printed the list of the Dutch prizes and discovered the abuses and cheates put on the Nation by some Officers in the Admiralty no doubt but this business stuck in his stomack and to gratifie some guilty persons that had cozened the State and that made him to certifie my business by halfs and but part of his knowledge But it matters not as long as your Petitioner hath his services fully certified concerning this Silver business under the hands of Sir James
Harrington Sir George Flettwood and the Officers of the Mint This memoriall I put down to let Doctor Walker know that though hee could forget mee and certifie his knowledge by halfes It may ' one ' day I le in my lot not to forget him but to certifie my knowledge of him fully when I finde a convenient time If Doctor Walker could have made this discovery without mee hee would never have intreated mee to doe it as appears by his Orders and Letters to Mr. Dorislaws Mr. Bud Mr. How and Mr. Arnold Officers in the Court of Admiraltie vid. fol. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. Sir James Harringtons Report and Certificate upon the desire and request to him of Sir Thomas Viner Sir John Barkstead Iohn Limbery Maurice Thomson Esquires I Have read Mr Thomas Violets Petition and his desires mentioned in the annexed Paper as also the desires of the Referrees and in compliance of his sad request so farr as my memory serves mee which hath been refreshed by the veiw of severall Orders of Parliament Council of State Certificates Depositions and memorialls formerly transacted in the Petitioners business both concerning the Silver mentioned in the Petition and severall other of Mr. Violets faithfull services done by him for this Common-wealth I do signifie and declare that from the yeare 1649. to the year 1653. being the time I had acquaintance with Mr. Violet I observed that hee had a deepe profound judgement and insight into the secrets of our Mint in England knew the mistery and secrets of other Mints in forreign parts and the severall Arts misteries and waies forreign Nations used to induce and draw Bullion both gold and silver to their several Mints and Countries and the Lawes and ordinances forreign Nations made for hindering the exportation in every respective Countrey And that both my selfe and others my Associates of the Council of State in business of high and great concernments as to the Civil part especially concerning the Mint and Trade made use of him in many perticular services for the Publique And indeed for my selfe I must give him this just and due Commendations that for all the time I knew him at the Council of State hee was very diligent to advance the publique service as will appeare by the Acts of the Council in those times if recourse be thereunto had Which actings of his and his diligent attendance at the Council of State was in prosecution for many years to obtain his estate which was taken from him by the Parliament as hee constantly affirmed both to my selfe and others my associates of the Council of State when wee imployed him in many great businesses for the Common wealth and this dilligent and vigilant carriage of his presented him both to the Parliament and Council of State as a man whose abilities activity resolution and fideliry was very necessary and serviceable for the benefit of the State and great use was made of him in those times by the State as appeares by the Silver businesse mentioned in his Petition And that to those that knew him both in Parliament and Council of State his trust and faithfullnesse was held in very good estemee and his services were eminently taken notice of both by my selfe and divers others both in the Parliament and Council of State for severall years before Mr. Violet ingaged in this great undertaking of staying the Dutch Silver in December 1652. mentioned in his Petition And truly I must attest that both my selfe and severall others of the Parliament and Council looked upon Mr. Violet in this great undertaking of staying the Silver mentioned in his Petition in the Ships Sampson Salvador and George That Mr. Violet was the great wheele of the worke that got the State this great Treasure for hee both discovered to the Council of State the fraude of the Spanish Ambassadour and the fraudes of the Dutch and Spanish Claimers to the Silver which seasonable discovery of his at the Council stayed it together with his Protest in the Court of Admiraltie being by him faithfully and actively performed the true Attestation whereof was examined at the Council of State and now shewed mee under the handes of the Officers of the Mint By all which proceedings it appeares to mee that Mr. Violets engagements in this service was not only the instrumentall occasion of getting the State this great Treasure mentioned in his Petition but the only cause and without him and his Protesting in the Court of Admiraltie at that very instant nicke of time 16. Decemb. 1652. this great Treasure being about three hundred thousand pounds as Mr. Violet affirmes to mee there was so much money taken out of the Sampson Salvador and George had bin all let go out of the Nation and bin discharged by the Court of Admiraltie and of what prejudiciall and dangerous consequence such an oversight in the Court of Admiraltie might have produced to this Common-wealth at that conjuncture of time when Van Trumpe the Dutch Generall was in the Downes is obvious to all men to conjecture as also the contrary the great advantage and benefit that hath accrued to this Nation by Mr. Violets happie and succesfull Protesting in the Admiraltie against the discharge of this Silver and opposing the Spanish Ambassador and all their numerous interessed parties and Claimers and their powerfull abettors joyned with it the hard and voluntary taske hee imposed upon himselfe as I finde it sworne by severall Witnesses and that besides all his paines and hazards hee expended in this service above five hundred pounds And I finde by Doctor Walkers Warrants directed to Mr. Dorislaus Mr. Bud Mr. Arnold and Mr. Howe the States Officers and ministers in the Court of Admiraltie and by Orders of the Council of State that since the 20th of Aprill 1653. Mr. Violet was required and enjoyned not only to contribute his own endeavours but also at his own charge to imploy many others in makeing this discovery which I finde to be attested under Doctor Walkers hand and by the Depositions of severall Persons imployed by Mr. Violet for that although the Parliament and Council of State were dismissed the 20th day of Aprill 1653 yet Mr. Violets fore taske expensive and dangerous imployment was imposed and continued on him till the State had gotten the Silver and this appears by Warrants from his Highnesse Council and Doctor Walker of a later date ready to bee produced which I have seen These actings of his accompanied with great charge hazard and trouble shewes to all the world Mr. Violets faithfull service constant fidelity and love to his Country Upon due consideration of all the premisses I am very willing to testifie my knowledge of Mr. Violet according to that true worth and great abilities I know in the man with his readines to serve his Countrey and I do it the rather because hee had severall times my faithfull promise when I was a Councellor of State that I would testifie his several services done to
the Parliament by which I conceive hee merited the indempnity and restoration of his estate before this great undertaking mentioned in his Petition about the Silver in Decemb. 1652 but doing this service successfully in staying this Silver I thinke my selfe therefore now much more bound in honour and conscience after so longe a tryall of this mans patience constancy and fidelity and his love to his Country to give you my true observation of the man both in his acting this and other great businesse and this I attest upon my knowledge and experience of the man and not upon hear-say And if the rule of the Gospel be observed viv that all men do to others as they would be done to themselves Mr. Violet cannot be many weekes without a full restoration of his Estate or the value and if Mr. Violet hath had such measure as he hath presented to the world in print surely I must say he hath had hard measure but I wish him not only his Estate but also an honourable memoriall to be left to Posterity of his great service according to former engagements to him by some of the then Council of State for this particuler service of the Silver mentioned in his Petition this just due and deserved Testimony I do give him this first of October 1657. James Harrington This is a true Copy Examined by us Thomas Hewet John Rimmer John Symes WHen I brought these aforesaid Certificates to the Commissioners to whom the Examination of my services touching this Silver was referred by the late Lord Protector Oliver I offered to bring them the Testimonialls of several others of the Council of State to affirme and attest to the same effect as these honourable Gentlemen had don But the Referrees were pleased to say they had seen enough and to forbid mee the troubling any others for conformation of what I had alleadged in my Petition they declaring that these Certificates aforesaid had given them full and ample satisfaction and that they were sorry I should bee so dealt with and that they did see my sad sufferings and would fully and effectually certifie the true State of my businesse to his Highnesse Oliver what I had merrited from the State they not doubting but I should have not only the summe of eleven thousand pounds paid mee for this discovery and great service but also should receive an honourable reward over and above for the same To Incourage others for the future to relie and trust to the Promises of the Council of State and to be faithfull in the trust that was imposed on them by the State The Referrees telling your Petitioner that in Justice Prudence Honour and Policie the States must pay mee and that they could not expect but the end of my labours would come to a happy issue and thereupon the aforesaid Referrees were pleased to give mee this honourable Certificate following concerning the true State of my services and the Council of States ingagements to pay mee the summe of eleven thousand pounds and an honourable reward over and above viz. May it please your Highnesse WHereas by your Highness order of the 13th of July last your Highness was pleased to referr unto us or any three of us Mr. Thomas Violets Petition hereunto annexed whereby wee are directed to examine the premisses suggested therein and to state and certifie the Case to your Highnesse together with our opinions upon the whole matter In obedience whereunto wee having perused the said Petition and finding many perticular services which the Petitioner thereby affirmeth were done by him and well knowne to the Lord Bradshawe and many others of the late Council of State and hee having named to us Sir James Harrington Sir George Fleetewood and Francis Allen Esquires who amongst other of the Council knew the Petitioners great service done concerning the Ships Sampson Salvador and George their Silver and Lading mentioned in his said Petition and the Council of States intentions and engagements to him when hee undertooke to disprove the Spanish Ambassador and Spanish and Flemish Claimers thereunto in the yeares 1652. and 1653. For the clearing of the truth of the Petitioners allegations suggested in his said Petition wee held it necessary to acquaint the Lord Bradshawe and the said Sir James Harrington Sir George Fleetwood and Francis Allen Esquires with your Highnesse said Referrence and sent them Copies thereof with the said Petition and with our desires that they would certifie their particular knowledges therein that so wee might the better returne to your Highnesse the true state of the Petitioners Case And wee have accordingly received Certificates from all the aforesaid Persons which wee have hereunto annexed together with the said Petition and Referrence for your Highnesse gracious peruseall all which Testimonialls and Certificates set forth the great services done by the Petitioner by his seasonably discovery of the Spanish Ambassadors and Claimers fraudulent endeavors to deceive the Common-wealth in December 1652. Wee have likewise perused severall Orders of Parliament and Council of State that set forth the intended fraudes and Practices of Don Alonso de Cardenas in coming in his owne Person to the Parliament and to the Council of State with severall other Merchants and their Claiming the Dutch Silver then aboard the said Ships And wee finde Mr. James Stenere committed by the Parliament for tampering in this business Wee finde it attested under the hands of Mr. George Brett James Hoare and Thomas Birch all Offieers of your Highnesse Mint they being then in the Court of Admiraltie the 16th of Decemb. 1652. that the Petitioner by his active faithfull and seasonable Protest in the said Court at that very instant nicke of time and the very hower the Ships and Silver were in judgement before the Judges there and upon discharge the Petitioner by his Protest stayed the Silver mentioned in the Petition being to the value of above two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds in Silver taken out of the aforesaid Ships and Coyned in your Highnesse Mint as the Petitioner hath proved to us upon the sight of some accomptes And wee finde by severall Orders of the Council of State and Orders from Doctor Walker the Common-wealth's Advocate and by severall Depositions and Certificates that the whole weight of that businesse was imposed on the Petitioner by the Council of State in 1652. and 1653. as to the discovering part and the Petitioner was required to prosecute this service after the dissolving of the long Parliament by the Council of State then being The Heads of the Lord Bradshaws Certificate Wee also finde it attested by the Lord Bradshawe that the seasonable interposition of the Petitioner and his Protesting in the Admiralty applications to the Council and discovery of the fraudes both of the Spanish and Dutch touching the said Silver those actions of the Petitioner accompanied also with great charge hazard and trouble were the maine occasion if not the causa sine qua non of the after
benefit received by the State upon conversion of that Silver the Petitioner being looked upon by the then Council of State as the great wheele that set all on work when this business first began and after til the close of the same The Councels engagements and intentions to him wards at his first assuming the imployment were not without good reason uncommitted to writing for avoyding all misconstruction they proposing on the one hand a faire and just proceeding and on the other all due incouragement to that Person whose disquisition and effectuall prosecution for making good the claime they knew must needes bee very expensive and liable to many difficulties and hazards from the multitude of the contrary interessed parties and the many and powerfull abettors so as any one in reason may conclude that without such assurance on the part of the Council and relying upon it on the Petitioners part the whole business had miscarried as left unundertaken and undone The Petitioners sore task and merrit of the State hee saith hee will not further meddle with The Petitioners zeale resolution and ability to promote the publique interest in divers respects being knowne to him in good measure as hee formerly held himself obliged to cherish and so much as in him was to improve for the States advantage so upon this occasion offered wherein the honour and justice of the State and their profit as hee conceived is mainely inv olved Hee saith hee is very free to render the Petitioner according to his best observations of him and his actings this due and deserved Testimony Dated the 5th of September 1657. The Heads of Sir James Harringtons Certificate Sir James Harrington also certifies us that the Petitioner was the great wheele of the worke which got the State this great Treasure for he both discovered to the Council of State the fraudes of the Spanish Ambassador and the Dutch and Spanish Claimers to the Silver which seasonable discovery stayed it at the Council together with his Protest in the Court of Admiralty being by him faithfully and actively performed the true attestation thereof was examined at the Council of State and the Petitioner imployed several persons at his own charge in the prosecution of this businesse being required by the Council of State to do it by all which proceedings he saith it appeaâ—s that the Petitioners ingagements in that service was not only the instrumentall occasion of getting the State that great Treasure mentioned in the Petition but the only cause and without him and his Protesting in the Court of Admiraltie at that very instant nicke of time the 16th of Decemb. 1652. this great Treasure being about three hundred thousand pounds had bin all let go and further saith that the Councll of State did not only promise the Petitioner the restoration of his Estate for this particular service of the Silver but also an honourable memoriall and that both himself and others of his associates of the Council of State in business of great and high concernment as to the Civil part especially as to the Mint and Trade made use of him in many particulers for the Publique and that he did observe that all the time he knew the Petitioner which was from 1649 to 1653. the Petitioner was very dilligent to advance the Publique Interest These actings of the Petitioner accompanied with great charge hazard and trouble shewes forch to all the world the Petitioners faithfull services constant fidelity and love to his Country this Testimony concerning the Petitioner beares date under Sir James Harringtons hand the first day of October 1657. The Heads of Francis Allen Esq his Certificate Mr. Francis Allen certifies that the Petitioner did engage in that concernment of staying the Ships Sampson Salvador and George the Silver and Lading and in discovering the fraudes endeavored to be put upon the State touching the Silver in them conteyned with a great deale of Industry courage and unweariedness and indeed he conceives to his very great charge and expence besides his freequent attending the Committee for the Mint in severall affaires referring thereunto which could not but be expensive to him also This Certificate beares date the 27th of October 1657. The Heads of Sir George Fleetwood his Certificate Sir George Fleetwood likewise certifies that the Petitioner by his seasonable discovery to the State of the Spanish Ambassadour and Claimers fraudes as to the Silver mentioned and his Protesting in the Court of Admiralty in December 1652. was the only cause of geting this great Treasure mentioned in the aforesaid Petition and that the Council of State in 1652 and 1653. imposed upon the Petitioner the whole care of the management of this business in the Court of Admiraltie as to the discovering part and that the Petitioner was several times imployed by the Council of State and members of Parliament and such of the Council for the State or Parliament as were pleased to make use of him found in the Petitioner a deep and profound insight into the misteries of the Mint businesse and Marchant affaires And the said Sir George Fleetwood further saith that it is most apparent in the whole proceedings of this businesse that the Petitioner had alwaies in his eye the restoration of his Estate or the value of eleven thousand pounds which was the summe of Mr. Violets demand to the Parliament in 1651. which was promised the Petitioner by severall members of the Council and Parliament for service done before this great undertaking and had not the Petitioner had a reall assurance from the Council of State in Decemb. 1652. for the restoring to him his Estate or eleven thousand pounds for this service of the Silver the whole business had bin lost and left un-undertaken by the Petitioner had he not had such a promise and also relyed on the same for just performance and he saith it is true that for some Reasons of State Mr. Violets assurance and reward was uncommitted to writing to avoyd claymor and misconstructions of lewde Tongues but this omission was not to frustrate the Petitioner of his dearly earned reward the restoration of his Estate as many of the late Council of State if attended on by the Petitioner would say this could never enter into their thoughts This attestation under the hand of Sir George Fleetwood beares date 22th September 1657. These Certificates with the former Attestations are briefly reported The Originals specifying the Petitioners particular sâ—rvices in this and other his undertakings more at large are hereunto annexed And whereas the Petitioner alledgeth in his Petition that had he desisted the prosecution of the said businesse in your Highnesse Court of Admiralty and betrayed the Trust the Councel â—f Staâ—e â—eposed in him he was several times offered and might have received in the yeares 1652. and 1653. from several Merchants of Flanders then in London the summe of ten thousand pounds Upon examination of this Allegation we finde that the Merchants Claimers did several times
offer the Petitioner ten thousand pounds to have deserted this businesse of prosecuting against the Spanish Ambassador and Claimers concerning this Silver And this was confessed by the Merchants Solicitor to be true as appeareth by two several persons Affidavits viz. Mr. Thomas Hewet and Mr. William Savill taken before William Glascock Esq one of the Masters in Chancery And whereas the Petitioner alledgeth That in the prosecution of this great businesse for the space of about two years he was at the sole charge himself thereof and paid ten several persons whom at that time he employed in this service as he hath proved by Affidavit of foure Witnesses viz John Glover and Symon Baldwin Merchants Thomas Ley and John Gerrell Citizens of London Sworn before John Page and Robert Kelloway Esquires Masters in Chancery in 1654. That the Petitioner to their knowledge expended above five hundred pounds in this service in 1652. and 1653. We finde the Petitioners debts and engagements contracted in the prosecution of this businesse of the Silver Ships to be very great amounting unto the summe of seven hundred sixty five pounds and upwards which the Petitioner oweth at interest at this day And he hath presented us a particular List of the several mens names of whom the Petitioner borrowed the said money to do this service the truth of which appears unto us by the Affidavit of the said Mr. Violet sworn before Doctor Harrington one of the Masters of your Highnesse Court of Chancery besides several other great summes of money which the Petitioner affirmes to us to have taken up at interest for his necessary support and maintenanee ever since the Sequestration of his estate in 1643. May it please your Highnesse upon this businesse of the Petitioner we have had many meetings And being by your Highnesse Reference required not only to slate the Petitioners Case but to certifie our opinions upon the whole matter We do accordingly in all faithfulnesse and humility certifie to your Highnesse That upon due consideration had of the great travel charge and hazard which the Petitioner hath undergone in the prosecuting of this businesse as hath been proved unto us as aforesaid As also upon the Attestation of Sir George Fleetwood and Sir James Harrington concerning the Promise of the Councel of State to Mr. Violet for the restoration of his estate or eleven thousand pounds Upon the whole matter we do in all humble manner certifie your Highnesse that we finde the Petitioner is a person who not only deserves the making good the Councel of States Promise to him as abovesaid But also by your Highnesse goodness bounty and favour that there be some signal Reward conferr'd upon him for this his eminent service according to the Promise of the said Councel as by the Certificates of Sir George Fleetwood and Sir James Harrington hath been attested unto us That so all others for the future may be encouraged to serve the interest of your Highness and the Common-wealth with all faithfulness as it appeareth to us the Petitioner hath done We have also considered of the Petitioners debts and expences contracted in this service and for his support since 1643. and beleeve the Petitioners engagements at this present are very great and pressing upon him Wherefore being ordered by your Highness to certifie our opinions upon the whole matter We humbly offer unto your Highness That for the present left the Petitioner should be thrown into prison and thereby utterly ruined for the very moneys he hath expended in this service That some considerable summ of money in part may speedily by your Highness be assign'd unto him for the paying of his debts contracted in this great service for the publick And also that care be taken for his subsistence according to his quality And that the remainder of the money promised him by the late Councel of State as aforesaid may be paid unto him assoon as your Highness and the great affaires of the Common-wealth can permit he having eminently and signally shewed his zeal resolution and forwardness with the hazard of his life in this service for his Countrey All which we Humbly submit to your Highnesse Wisdome and Justice 1. May 1658. John Barkstead Tho. Viner Gabriel Beck John Limbery Edward Dendy Henry Middleton Maurice Thomson Isaac Dorislaus Examined by us Jo. Symes Jo. Rimmer WHen your Petitioner after much paines patience and attendance had gotten all these aforesaid honourable Gentlemens Certificates and Testimonialls aforesaid in May 1658. I cast about how I should bring my businesse to have it come to a good issue that after so much delay I might have Justice Thereupon your Petitioner Petitioned Oliver Lord Protector setting forth my former services and backing the same with so many bulwarks and Certificates that in justice nor honour I thought he could not delay me longer of my dearly earned reward for I knew he could not deny a tittle in my Petition but what I alledged I had fully proved and that your Petitioner might be dealing with him for something to get some imployment till he paid me the summe of eleven thousand pounds I did offer in part of my satisfaction of eleven thousand pounds to except of the imployment of Regulating the manufacture of gold and silver thread with the fees I formerly had received and I humbly offered to accept of this office at the value of two thousand pounds this office being a part of my own Estate for which I paid formerly 1500l And had I not bin disturbed in the due execution by some damorous cheating Silkmen and Wyer drawers and Refiners who make it their common trade to cozen the wearers of gold and silver lace and have melted down within this twenty yeares of the Plate and heavy silver Coynes of the Nation to the value of a million of money to the wispeakable losse of the Common-wealth by wasting of the blood and sinews of this Nations money which ought to bee kept in peoples purses to maintaine Trade and Commerce and not to be put upon Womens Petticoats to be burst and wasted away For to induce his Highnesse Oliver to grant me the said imployment I annexed to my Petition and Papers a Report of the Committee of Parliament for Trade Dated June 16. 1657. the original Report I have readie to produce to your Honours which Report certifies that they have had it fully proved before them upon many dayes Examination the great abuses daily practised in the culling and melting down the currant silver coines of this Nation for the expensive making Gold and Silver Lace Wyre and Thread They certifie under their hands the dailie abuses and cheats is put on the Wearers by the deceitful making Gold and Silver Thread and Lace and also by several fraudulent practices in the making Gold and Silver Thread that there is wâ—sted of the stock of Silver in this Nation about thirty thousand pounds a year And that at this day there is no Rule nor Order for
regulating the Work-masters nor the Workers but every one is ' est to cozentle Common-wealth and they have certified it by what several wayes they do it as will appear upon your Honours Perusal of the Certificate of the Committee for Trade And the Committee for Trade finding this to be a great abuse and cheat put on the Nation have upon many dayes consideration presented to that Parliament a Report of a Model and Way for the due Regulation of all these abuses and recommend in their Certificate your Petitioner for the execution of that service to be appointed the sworn Officer and to take the fees for doing that service as formerly your Petitioner did and that your Petitioner for the future put in security in the Exchequer to warrant all these Manufactures of Gold and Silver Lace Wyre and Thread to be good silver that is drawn assayed marked or sealed at the Office And to warrant the same to be sterling silver according to the Standard at the least or to pay all damage to the Party or Parties grieved and that all Gold and Silver Thread shall be duly spun with a due proportion of Silver to Silk to the end that the Silver may not be brushed and rubbed of Lace Buttons and other sorts of works in Gold and Silver Thread as it daily is to the quantity as hath bin proved to the Committee for Trade of thirty thousand pounds a year Whereupon his Highnesse refers this Petition July 13. 1658. and all the aforesaid Reports together with a Report of the Councel of Trade for the regulating the Manufacture of Gold and Silver Thread to the considerations of the Privie Councel to take all the premisses into their consideration and to see your Petitioner paid for these services in staying the Silver and for his former losses according to Equity and Justice And that if the Councel conceived it fit I should have the emploiment to see to the due regulating the manufacture of Gold and Silver Wyre and Lace and to prevent the melting down heavy English money as I desired but the Protector soon after died before I could get the Councel of State to meet and so I renewed my Petition to the late Lord Protector Richard who signed this Order to Gabriel Beck and Francis Bacon Esquires viz. RICHARD P. WHereas wee are informed that Thomas Violet of London Goldsmith hath formerly done our most dear Father of famous memory and this Nation severall great services and that the said Thomas Violet hath made his addresses unto you and in many particulars hath acquainted you with his humble desires and good affections to our service and shewed you severall transactions which ought to be taken into our considerations being as wee are informed both for our service and the profit safety and honour of this Nation Wee therefore require you to give us an accompt of all such particulars concerning the Publique as the said Thomas Violet hath already acquainted you with and if you conceive it fit for our service you are by these presents authorised to send for the said Thomas Violet and to examine him upon any other questions or matters which you shall conceive is fit for our service and in what way the said Thomas Violet may be serviceable unto us and the Publique and the result of your debates to present unto us in writing with what expedition you can Dated 28. October 1658. To our trusty and Welbeloved Francis Bacon and Gabriell Becke Esquires May it please your Highnesse IN obedience to your Highnesse Order of Referrence dated 28. October last hereunto annexed wee have several times mett and finde that Thomas Violet Petitioned your Highnesse royall Father for his promised reward which Petition his late Highnesse 13 July 1657. referred to the Lord Barkstead Sir Thomas Viner and severall other Persons and their Report thereupon is hereunto annexed which Report we have perused and also severall Certificates of the Lord Bradshawe Lord George Fleetewood of the Vache Sir James Hanington and Francis Allen Esquires and severall other Certificates of the Officers of the Mint as also the Orders of the late Council of State Depositions and Orders of the Court of Admiraltie whereby it appears to us that the said Thomas Violet by his seasonable interposition and Protest in the Admiraltie 17. December 1652. his application to the then Council of State and his discovery of the Spanish and Dutch fraudes touching the Silver in the Ships Sampson Salvador and George being neere three hundred thousand pounds this his discovery and prosecution in the Admiraltie in all probabillity saved the State this great Treasure or else the State had been cozened thereof as appeares to us at large by all the aforesaid Certificates ready to bee produced to your Highnesse Wee finde it proved and certified that Thomas Violet expended seven hundred sixty five pounds in the prosecution of this service besides all his time and hazard which monies appeares to us he tooke up at interest for which he stands indebted to severall persons and he hath proved to us he is every day in danger to be taken in execution for the very monies hee expendded in this service to get the State this great Treasure And wee finde it attested unto your Highnesse royall Father by the Certificates of all the aforesaid Referrees that the State did promise unto Thomas Violet upon his undertaking at his own charge to do this service to pay him the sum of eleven thousand pounds and some other rewards for this service in stopping the aforesaid Silver And it is further certified to your Highnesse royall Father by all the aforesaid Referrees that they finde it proved that Thomas Violet was offered ten thousand pounds in the behalfe of the Claimers to have desisted his prosecution in the behalfe of the State touching this Silver And we finde that the Lord Barkstead Sir Thomas Viner and all the other Referrees humbly propounded to your Highnesse royall father as very fit and just that a considerable summe of money bee presently paid unto Thomas Violet for to discharge his debts and for his support lest otherwise hee should bee throwne into Prison and utterly ruined for the very money he hath expended in this service and that care be taken for the future for Thomas Violets subsistence according to his quality and that the remainder of the money to make it up the summe of eleven thousand pounds promised to him by the State for this service may be paid unto Thomas Violet as soone as the great occasions of the State can permit This Certificate is hereunto annexed and signed by all the aforesaid Referrees 1. May 1658. to your Highnesse royall Father And wee humbly offer it as our opinions that it is both just and fit for the honour of the State that the monies Thomas Violet hath expended in this service and a due consideration for his support for the future be speedily paid unto him to preserve him from a present ruine
this Petition together with the reasons thereunto annexed and with this our Warrant VVho are desired to Ordaine and appoint such Rules Prohibitions and Penalties for the effectuall and better management of this service the preventing of all former abuses and restrayning of the Counterfeiting and importation of any the said farthings from the parts beyond the Seas as they shall thinke fit and necessary for the carrying on of this Service for the good of the Common-wealth Given at Whitehall the 19th day of Aprill 1659. To our Trusty VVel beloved Sir William Ellis Barronett our Sollicitor Generall To my much honoured and worthy Friends Sr Thomas Viner Kt. Mr Alexander Holt Mr John Sanders Mr James Hore Mr Will. Baldwine Mr Will. Du-Gard Mr Sarjeant Dendy Mr Gabriel Beck Mr Bovey Mr Ed. Watkins Mr John Heatly Mr Lucas Lucie Mr Thom. Packington Mr Francis Bishop Mr John Burredge Mr Delabar Mr Nowel Mr Emery Mr Hord. Worthy Gentlemen and my good Friends TO you of all others I am most obliged to give a particular account of this business touching my staying this silver mentioned in this Book because I could not have done this great service of staying the Shipps Sampson Salvador and George and prosecuting that business in the Admiraltie but that I had the money to do it from you and I owe it you at this day about 1500 l. I have formerly shewed unto most of you the Orders of Parliament touching this business and what endeavours were acted by Mr James Steneer and severall other Merchants to cozen the State of all this great treasure All the printed Transactions most of you have seen formerly But the orders that mentions seaven severall Letters of Mr. James Steneres and severall other Merchants Letters which were read in Parliament Mr. James Steneer writes to his Correspondents beyond Seas concerning the geting them this Silver out of the Admiraltie wee meaning himselfe and the rest of his confederates have made a great many friends among the great ones to speake for us in the business when it comes before them a wise man may guess who those great ones were and what great ones made a trade by cozining the Common-wealth in their Prizes the Claimers of the silver at that time having stollen several scores of thousand poundes out of these Ships so that they weree full of money and they could bribe any Person in power that would be corrupted in another of Mr Steneres Letter that was read in the Parliament House Mr. Stenere writes to his Correspondents beyond Seas that he must have a care what hee did write to them touching this Silver business left his Letters should be opened when he was brought to the Parliament Barr the first of December 1652. he rather chose to act the part of a foole and a lyer rather then to serve the Common-wealth to discover this design for which tampering of his the Parliament committed him from the Barr to the Serjeant at Armes the first of December 1652. as appeares by the journals of the Parliament at that time Van Trumpe the Dutch Admirall was in the Downes and no doubt but his mouth watered after this Silver there is a Commission under the great Seal of Holland and the originall orders of the States Generall Upon the petition of the Merchants of Amsterdam to guard these ships and silver from the Parliaments forces which will remain to posteritie to show the justice of this Nation in staying this silver for Dutch silver the truth of this being also confest in the Admiraltie by many of the marriners and passengers which came that Voyage from Spain and that the Pursers books and many of the Bills of Lading were forged and altered at sea after that they had heard certainly by some ships that the Dutch were at warrs with England The Parliaments Agent at Cades gave advice here to Mr Wilson his kinsman the day that these ships set saile from Cades and though they gave out there that they were to go for Dunkirk yet their designed Port was Amsterdam they being loaden for the greatest part upon the account of the Dutch and the same was confest in the Admiraltie by many of the Passengers and others Decemb. 14. 1652. The Spanish Ambassador Don Alonso de Cardenas Embassador extraordinary for the King of Spain came in person to the Parliament and made an Oration in the House claiming all this silver in these three ships to belong to his Master and for his Masters subjects account which Speech hee also at the same time presented to the Parliament in writing both in Spanish and English together with two bundles of papers touching this silver which hee referred to the consideration of the House And for several daies hee made his appearance at the Council of State and put in the like claimes for this silver hee ingaging his Honour that no part of it did belong to the Dutch as will appear by the proceedings and the records of the Council of State and Mr Stenier was bayled and his businesse never called on to this day While these businesses were transacted at the Parliament Councel of State and Admiraltie I made the Lord Bradshaw and many of the Council of State acquainted with the whole practice and fraud that was intended to be put on them by the aforesaid parties and that if they had not a special care the Judges in the Admiraltie would discharge this silver and the Dutch had rather it should be in the bottom of the sea than wee should have it Upon this Information the Council of State commanded mee to attend carefully the motions of the Court of Admiraltie and the Merchants touching this Silver and from time to time to give the Council an account what was done in the businesse Whereupon December 15. 1652. I made the Council acquainted That the Judges of the Admiraltie had appointed to bring these ships Sampson Salvador and George their silver and lading to a judgment the next day being Decemb. 16. in the Admiraltie And that I did believe the Judges would cleare the ships the Lord Bradshaw and some others of the Council askt mee what reason I had to say so or to suspect so Whereupon I told them the Commissioners of Dutch prize Goods had given me a warrant to go aboard these Dutch prize ships when I pleas'd and to imploie whom I thought good to get acquaintance with the sea-men aboard these ships And I had certain intelligence that Otho George Captain of the Sampson had commanded all his men to be in readinesse and had taken in fresh victualling and biskets and that in a few daies they should be at Dunkirk declaring that Van Tromp would do them no hurt though hee were on the Downes Upon this discovery many of the Council of State did apprehend the great dammage and danger the Nation was in if this great treasure should fall into the hands of the Dutch and after much debate I was commanded by the Council to attend in
the Court of Admiraltie Decemb. 16. all the while the Court sate and if the Judges did go about to clear the silver then I should make my Protest against their proceedings till my Witnesses were examined that should discover the fraud And the Councel likewise charged mee That if the Judges askt mee by what authoritie I made my Protest I should deny I had any order from the Councel of State but I should do it upon my owne peril and account if I were certain I could disprove the Spanish Ambassador and if I did prove that there was silver aboard these ships belonging to the Dutch out of the first hundred thousand pounds that was coined of this silver I should be paid eleven thousand pounds being in lieu of my estate that I had for many yeares petitioned for whereupon I told the Council the estate the Parliament took from me endamaged me above sixteen thousand pounds many of the Councel replying Perform you what you have undertaken which we believe you are never able to do and you shall have an honourable reward for this service over and above eleven thousand pounds which you claim for your estate I have done this service and two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds the State hath had and employed it for the desence of the Common-wealth in paying the Army and Navy as will appear by the Accounts of Coll. Barkstead yet to this day the Council of State hath not performed their faithful Promise to me to pay me eleven thousand pounds and to give me an honourable reward over and above for this service It is very remarkable that there was a designe laid amongst some of Mr Steniers great ones to cozen the State of this Treasure and would I have been Knave I might have been one of his great ones and have taken ten thousand pounds to let the silver go as in this Book is cortifiedby many honourable persons might have had And that to some in the Admiralty my appearing in that Court to stay this silver was most distastfull and unexspected and spoiled some peoples markets both in the Admiraltie and other places too for some of the Judges in the Admiralty Exton and Stevens Decem. 16. 1652. were so farre from giving mee thanks for my discovery and for making my Protest in the behalf of the State to save this silver which had not their interest and profit layen another way they ought to have done but they contrariwise openly in the Court before many hundreds of merchants have reviled mee and would of discharged this silver And had I not received a command from the Council of State the day before to act in that manner to be sure to keep the Judges from discharging the silver let the Judges say what they pleased the Iudges would that morning have discharged the silver and consulted together to commit mee they disputed the businesse so lowd that I and many others heard it And the Iudges bid Wyeen the then Register of the Admiralty call on the ships Sampson Salvador and George not minding what I said this can be proved by many merchants and is fully certified by the Officers of the Mint Whereupon I told Mr Wyeen the Register that if he and the Iudges did discharge the silver in these ships and did not forbear their sentence till my Witnesses were examined I would make it the dearest daies work they ever did in their lives or to that effect And I undertook before the Iudges in the Admiralty upon the peril of my life to disprove the Sanish Ambassador and Flemmish Claimes to this silver Whereupon Monsieur Motett the Spanish Ambassadors Secretary hearing mee say so to the Iudges was in a very great rage and so were all the rest of the Claimers Whereupon I told the Iudges that if they would clear the silver notwithstanding my Protest before my witnesses were examined it was most apparent the Common-wealth was betrayed and bribes given and taken by some great ones to cozen the Common-wealth of this silver but it should not be in their power to do it for I would prevent them And that if the Iudges did proceed to discharge this silver and that this silver come into the hands of the Dutch the Iudges lives and estates could not make the Common-wealth satisfaction for that Van Tromp the Dutch General was then on the Downer and an hastie Iudgment before the truth of this plot was discovered would put this silver into the Dutch mens power which might be of sad consequence to this Nation and may cost many thousand English men their lives VVhereupon all the Spanish and Flemmish Claimers were in a great rage heat and discontent Two of the Iudges Exton and Stevens told mee I had undone my selfe for ever in making my Protest against the discharge of the silver and by my other actions and words that day in the Admiralty and so the Iudges commanded mee to attend the Council of State that afternoon And so the Court broke up the Spaniards and Flemmings cursing mee bitterly and I exspected every minute to be murdered by them The Iudges of the Admiralty prophesied truer then Lilly hitherto for they told mee the staying of this silver would undo mee for if the Council of State do not pay mee the eleven thousand pounds they promised mee I have by my faithfulness honesty and integrity to my Countrey in the protesting against the discharge of this silver in the Admiralty and by my constant chargeable and dangerous prosecution thereof in getting the State two hundred seventy eight thousand pound in refusing the Claimers money when they offered mee ten thousand pounds to be silent and let the State be cozened of the silver VVould I have been a knave I might have been reckoned among Mr Stenieers great ones but my faithfulness to my Countrey in this particular service if the State be not just to mee in their promise will undo mee for ever Gentlemen I have formerly delivered a particular of some of your names and the summes of money I borrowed of you to to enable me to do this great service all my owne Estate being under a sequestration unto the Commissioners that were appointed to examine this businesse Most of you knew when you lent me this monies I was to lay it out in this businesse in the Admiraltie and tenn honourable Gentlemen have Certified I borrowed of you and spent in this service seven hundred sixty five pounds besides severall great summes of money I payd some of you for Interest of this money ever since the year 1652. and great summes of money I have borrowed to do the Council of State other services as you may finde in this booke Fol. 107. 108. I owe unto you all this 25th of May 1659. the summe of fifteen hundred fourtie and odde pounds currant money of England which sums I have laid out and a great deal more in doing of this Common wealths service Gentlemen I have printed this Letter to acquaint
the Councel of State that some of you have commenced Suits and I look every daie for your Executions to be served on me for the very money I laid out to save the lives of thousands of this Nation I shall humblie leave it to the consideration of the Parliament Councel of State and all true Englishmen that are Lovers of their Countrey and respect the credit of the Nation when they shall reade what I have done in this service so clearly proved First what the State and Common-wealth hath got and the conjuncture of time when Van Tiumpe the Dutch Generall with the Dutch Fleets was in the Downes and at that very time I was offered by the Claimers of this Silver great Merchants of Flanders who was then in London to get this Silver out of the States hands I have proved that these very Claimers severall times offered me the summe of ten thousand pounds to have suffered the State to be cozened of this Silver in the Admiraltie and had I not esteem'd and valued the peace and prosperity of this Nation above my life I would have taken this money without any further trouble and gone and lived in another Country where I could have bin imployed in some Common wealths and States and have bin honourablie and thankfully rewarded I shall humbly desire the Parliament and Council of State to consider how many such malignants there is in the three Nations England Scotland and Ireland if the Parliament could but finde a covee of ten such malignants in England Scotland Ireland and the Dominions of Wales to bring them in two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds every one of them as I have done such a summe of money would pay the debts of the Publique if they can finde none of the breed but my self I humbly desire then to preserve me for a Phenix and to pay me eleven thousand pounds which I have so cleerly proved they owe me and give me a Commission to go a Kite-catching for the Common-wealth I shall humbly present them with a great number of pretended godly Buzzards who since the year 1640. have cozened the Common-wealth of many hundred thousand pounds I shall humblie shew them the wayes how they have done this and finde out the men who from the bottome of basenesse and beggerie have by unjust waies accumulated to themselves vast estates in these distracted and trouble some times to the ruine of many thousands of families whose cries for their oppressions have ascended up unto Heaven and no doubt but is the principal cause of these sad distractions and divisions that are now amongst us If one Achan could trouble all Israel for stealing a golden wedge and a Babylonish Garment what disturbance will a thousand Achans do who have cozened the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland for my part I humblie say clearly that I never stayed this Silver in 1652. for any of the then Councel of States particular profit I never minded either Oliver or Rowland I did it for the service of the Common-wealth and Honour of the Nation as I was a true Englishman without respecting private persons and let who will have the Government or Supreme Power I shall humbly demand it as it is my right and due my dearlie earned reward of eleven thousand pounds for this service S. Paul saith hee sought with beasts at Ephesus I am sure of it in this business in staying this Silver I was fain to encounter with beasts in the Admiraltie at the Exchange a ship-board to make my self all things to all men to spend my spirits my money make use of my Credit engage severall of you Gentlemen to borrow great summs of money for mee to get the State this great Treasure and when I exspect my reward to bee delayed with Referrees and Reports and Certificates and to trouble all these honourable Gentlemen to spend their time for several daies in taking the Proofs and Collections and as yet not to receive one dramm of justice or one peny of Reward to bee used as children are that look into a Fortune-book to be directed from one spirit to another how honourable this usage will bee for the Common-wealth to have this recorded to posteritie I leave it to you and all just men to judg So contrary to all humane exspectation hath Gods dealings been with mee in this business that where my greatest fear was I had no need to fear and where my greatest confidence was there I am miserably disappointed For I feared the Spaniards and the Claimers would kill me for staying this Silver but that was a needlesse fear for God hath kept me I put my trust in man and thought assuredly that it could never enter into the hearts of Gentlemen and an English Council of State but thankfully and honourablie to pay me what they had promised faithfully and I so dearly earned which was for getting them two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds The State to pay me in liew of my Estate taken from me to my damage twenty thousand pounds for which the Council of State agreed to pay me as aforesaid the sum of eleven thousand pounds besides an honourable reward Had I served my God with that integrity and broke so many nights sleep to study to please him as I did to please the Council of State and man God would not have left nor disappointed me as man doth Had the Council of State an intention never to have paied me when I undertook their work they had done both you and me a Courtesie to have chopped of my head and eased me out of a troublesom world Then I had not cozened you of your money which I must be forced to do if the Council do not pay me most of you know I could not pay you till the State payed me and this some of you will attest when required to be true besides it grieves me to the Soule more for some of you who out of good will to the Nation borrowed great summes of money for me and at this day are sued for the same and must pay it that I should be made an instrument to Trappan you or any honest man for your good will to your Countrey to cozen you of your money It is true my body is at your service to imprison in a Goal but it is money that you expect and not my flesh or bones How shamefull a thing would it bee that it should be left to posterity that Thomas Violet that saved this Nation two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds all imploied in the defence of the Nation at such a time the Common-wealth was in Jeopardie and in great streights for money discovering this Plot the same day the Judges in the Admiraltie would have discharged the Silver and then it had bin presently conveyed to our enemies the Dutch For which service and undertaking the Council of State faithfully promised him the summe of eleven thousand pounds and an honourable reward Thomas Violet having gott the
Common-wealth all this Silver as aforesaid but no performance no promise nor word kept That Thomas Violet might have had ten thousand pounds from the Claimers to have deserted this Trust and to have conniv'd and let this Silver go but he would not be false to the Common-wealth But constantly for two years being assisted by ten other persons that followed this businesse in the Admiraltie a Shipboard and at the Exchange and in severall other places and with much Trouble Charge and Expence to get the State the aforesaid great Treasure borrowing fifteen hundred pounds of severall of his dear and loveing friends to do this service who upon the Councils of State not performing with me in paying me my dearly earned reward were all cozened of their money for I cannot pay you before the State pay mee and if this should fall out to be true would not all good men say both you and I have had hard measure for our good will and fidelity for getting the State this great Treasure and make other men for the future to take money when it is offered them And not to play an after-game as I now do to Petition for my due satisfaction I pray God for the honour of this Nation and of this Posterity that the Council of State take order for my satisfaction and indeed I am perswaded in my Conscience when the Council sees these Transactions attested by a multitude of honourable Witnesses and my services so great that never any man of my quality had the like Contest with mightie men and brought it to so happie success as I have don that I shall be truly paid eleven thousand pounds and the Damages will be considered for the forbearance of my dearly earned reward so long from 1653 to 1659. Gentlemen I have presented to you the hardest usage that you or I can expect and if I be not justly and honourably dealt with let fortune doe her worst I will trust and wait on Gods Providance and tide out these troublesom times ever keeping this rule where I receive Protection there will I pay obedience let it be to Oliver or Rowland and no longer then I can have Protection will I owe obedience but I will study the happinesse and Honour of my Countrey so long as I live and breath and let what will come this hath and shall be my rule to walke by I now think it convenient to give you an accompt by what waies I humbly propound to be paid by the Parliament and Council of State this summe of eleven thousand pounds and to take no money from them but to bring them in greater summes of money and also advantage the Nation many scores of thousand pounds and fill the Nation with great Treasure of gold and silver the Soldiers delight and the Merchants darling being that which is the measure of all things Upon the peruseall of this narative you will see a Watch taken in pieces and to your eye you see the wheeles and springs that makes the motions and the parties imployed A Painter may shew you the Colours before he workes but the craft is in mixing and grinding them and handling the pencel that makes the Picture There is not one man of a hundred thousand that could or can go through with this businesse but the undertaking of it would brake his neck It was God that inabled me and kept up my spirits and so he doth at this day or else it had bin impossible but I should have sunke under the weight of so much oppression The shewing you a Watch and painting inables you not to make either without long study Tooles and materialls Here you see both the Theorick and the practick part that I have and can serve my Countrey And me thinkes that rule in common Justice should be allowed to me that haveing made my proofe-piece as it is amongst most Lawyers or Tradesmen as a reading shews a man well verst in the Law an excellent Picture once finished makes a man an approved Painter and severall prizes skilfully played approves a man master of defence I humbly present unto the Parliament and Nation my getting the Common wealth this two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds to be my proof-piece to shew to posterity that the Garden of England hath too few such malignant Violets that would voluntarily venture life credit and what is above life have morgaged all my well-being for the future for fifteen hundred pounds to save this Nation and refused ten thousand pounds when I was offered to be bribed Let any just man consider of what I have done and no man can deny me this reward of eleven thousand pounds that hath honesty honour or Conscience When they remember Christs rule do as thou wouldst be done unto I must put the number of such ungratefull persons if the sad fate of State have left any of the breed in the Council of State not into the number of English States men but they are of the breed of Machiavel and I hope not to finde one of them in our English Council of State that professe Christianity and would offer worse measure to their fellow Countrey-men and Protestants then Turks would use to Christians God deliver all good honest minded men from such Machiavel-villains but I hope better things that St. James his rule shall be remembred shew me thy faith by thy workes that I that have worked in the Vinyard of this Common-wealth all my time so succesfully for the profit and honour of the Nation from the year 1648. to 1659. now I have gotten the State this Treasure as I have fully proved it both the money the State promised being eleven thousand pounds and an honourable reward the honour and Justice of the Nation being so highly concerned to see mee Justly satisfied To conclude have you but patience till the next Term and such of you as have commenced your suits go no further put not your selfe and me to expence and trouble till I get the Council of States Answer to this booke I here promise you all such of you that will have my person next Terme willingly to submitt to your Executions and if the Council of State will suffer me to be buried in a prison alive for the money I expended to get the State two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds and at that time ventured my life in the businesse such oppressions will stinke in the nostrills of all good and just men but I hope better things and trust the Council of State will be more carefull of the credit and faith of the Nation Your Bond-man for the States service and would sain subscribe my self my own Freeman to do yon service THOMAS VIOLET THE POSTCRIPT The Wayes I humbly propound to the State to pay me this debt are these in which Emploiment the Common wealth will get twenty times more advantage then I as appears Viz. 1. I Have at this time three Bonds in my Custody which were out of my possession
and increase of the stock of the Nation Provided I may have the place of Master-worker and Melter with the usuall fees formerly allowed to them setled under the great Seale and that I may be impowered by Orders and Warrants from the Council of State from time to time for to see the due execution of my place for the inabling me to do this service This businesse to effect is very troublesom and chargable And will be of mighty concernment to the State for their service as you will see in this booke by filling the Nation with Treasure and money the blood and sinews of Commcrce and Warr what makes so generall a complaint of want of Trade but want of money and people have not monies to pay the ordinary and necessary charges and if the State do not look to settle this business suddenly this mischeif for this many years I have foretold to the Parliament in Print and I knew would suddenly come upon us It is a certain Maxime Not any private person or a Common-wealth can ever be capable of effecting any great businesse that is not rich in monies or cannot command great summes of money either of his own or upon his Credit I pray read and consider what I have said concerning this businesse in this book Fol 11. 12. 13 14. if the State imploy me here in the Mint I will remove all these obstructions and set the Mint a working and this imployment if I have it for my life I will humbly accept of it at the value of two thousand pounds in part of payment of my satisfaction of eleven thousand pounds and by my industry and care will increase the States Stock every year some hundred of thousand of pounds of Silver which now comes in and is stollen out I would never undertake to do this diffiult businesse were I not assured there is none in the Nation can do it but my self and till the State imploy me this work will never be done effectually Three of you Gentlemen are great mints men and Gold smiths and know the difficultie of this undertaking and I dare affirme before you none of you will trouble your selves to finde out the bottom of these difficult waies that must be used to do this service not for ten times the profit I shall receive by this Emploiment Therefore I humbly desire to have an act to injoy the place of Master-worker and Melter for my life provided I do this service within three moneths after my grant this mischeif is come to a gangrene and the Council of State must make sharp and strict Orders in this businesse or else this mischeif cannot be remedied a great deal of care must be used to put these Laws in Execution else there wil be a perpetual consumption of the Stock of the Nation in the Silver coines as it is come already on the Gold coines you shall not receive in a thousand pounds one twenty-shillings-peece in Gold and in few years there wil be the like defect in the Silver not so much as will maintain Commerce and Trade pay Rents and Taxes nor to go to Market The first Sluce-gate that must be stopped is the forbidding the melting of gold and Silver currant coins of the Nation for gold and silver thread it is true there is a Law against it but who looks after the Execution Execution is that that gives life to the Law The like course must be taken against the Transporting gold silver out of the Nation it is true old Laws forbid it but who makes it their businesse to discover the offenders Had the Act passed in the House which I prosecuted against Transporting Gold and Silver and I impowered and imployed as I humbly propounded ten years ago this Nation had had at this day millions of Silver which is now Transported to the great damage of the Nation This Act hath bin twice read in the House ten times Committed Referred to the Committee of the Navies Officers of the Mint Officers of the Customes all their Reports and Certificates certifie that if the Parliament will not passe this Act and appoint able skilfull persons to make it their businesse to hinder the Transporting Gold and Silver the stock of Gold and Silver in the Nation would be all Transported and this Nation exposed to very great inconveniences by not preventing it who can or could say more then these Certificates say If the Parliament please to passe this Act I will spend my time and paines and in that service take these Transporters in the nick of their action and confiscate the monies had I Warrants and did set my springes I would catch these Woodcocks my experience would be of great advantage for an old Dear stealer is the best keeper of the Park and it is not unknown to some of you that almost thirty yeares ago I was questioned about Transporting Gold and Silver I discovered a nest of Transporters of Gold and the King ingaged me to do that service I caused them to be fined twenty foure thousand one hundred pounds in the year 1635. in the Starr Chamber as appears by the Records and made Alderman Gibbs and Sir John Wollaston glad to Petition and pay well to the late King for their Pardons for abuses done in their Trades and this was the true ground of Gibbes and Wollastones revenge against me When in the yeer 1643. they maliciously and Knavishly ingaged honourable Gentlemen to present me to the Parliament for a malignant and to send me to the Tower and sequester my Estate to my damage at this day twenty thousand pounds only to work their malicious ends upon me when at that time they had Trappaned me to catch me as a man catcheth a Partridg with their Lowbel Mr. Theophilus Rily who decoyed me into this snare to undertake to bring up from Oxford the Letter from the Late King Charles mentioned in this Book Fol. 33. And then to aggravat it against me with that Violence to some honourable members of Parliament that it had like to cost me my life and I suffered almost four years imprisonment in the Tower and had my estate sequestred to my damage of twenty thousand pounds as appeares in this Book Fol. 38. I Petitioned the late Protector Richard for to give me and some others I nominated in trust for my use the grant of making a common farthing as appeares in this booke Fol. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. the late Protector accordingly gives me c. the grant of the same for 31. years in part of my reward for this service of staying the Silver and orders the Solicitor Generall to attend the Parliament for their Approbation who are desired to ordain and appoint such Rules Prohibitions and Penalties for the effectuall and better management of this service the preventing of all former abuses and restraining the importation and Counterfeiting of any the said farthings from the parts beyond Sea as they shal think fit and necessary for the carrying on of this busines for the good of the Common wealth and he reserves to the Common-wealth twelve pence out of every twenty two shillings I shall humbly desire the Parliament to give me the grant for the sole making of a Publique farthing for 31. yeares of the value and weight aforesaid and I shall humbly and thankfully accept of this imployment as the value of five thousand pounds towards my debt of eleven thousand pounds and if the Parliament please to have a farthing made lighter yet as heavy againe as the common farthings I shall make a common farthing to go currant in England Scotland and Ireland and I will pay unto the maimed Solders five shillings upon every two and twenty shillings that is uttered in the Office and accompt truely upon Oath this will be a great revenew to the maimedSolders and I will be bound to accompt monthly to the Treasurers of the maimed Solders which will be about three hundred pounds a moneth for some years By these waies I shall both pay my self my eleven thousand pounds and be serviceable to the Common-wealth above an hundred thousand pounds in doing these services in the Mint and for Regulating gold and silver Lace and Wyer and stopping the Transporting of gold and silver no man in the Nation hath had the experience to do it but my self and where I get one penny the Common wealth in point of bonour and profit will get twenty the issue of all I humbly leave to God and submitt my selfe to his good Providence And remain Gentlemen your Bond-man till the State free mee THOMAS VIOLET 25. May 1659. FINIS