Chapter XXXI: Appendix: IX

Extracts from the Privy Council Register.

Copy of a letter sent to the Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace in the Counties of Suffolk and Essex concerning the employment of the poor. Privy Council Register[756] Chas. I. Vol. V. f. 263, 22nd May, 1629[757].

[756] See above, p. 143, note.

[757] _Ib._, p. 154.

[Sidenote: Dated the 22nd. Signed

Lo. Trer.
Lo. Privie Seale
Lo. High Chamb.
Lo. Steward
Lo. Chamb.
Ea. of Suffolk
Ea. of Dorsett
Ea. of Holland
Lo. Chanc. of Scotland
Lo. Vic. Dorchester
Lo. Vic. Grandison
Lo. Vic. Wilmot
Lo. Bp. of London
Lo. Bp. of Winton
Mr. Trer.
Mr. Vic. Chamb.
Mr. of the Wardes
Mr. Chanc. of the Ex^r.
]

"Whereas wee by special direccons of his Ma^{tie} did lately commend unto yo^r care the present state of those parts of y^r county where the poore clothiers and their workmen at present destitute of worke might some other way be imployed or for the tyme be releeved till some obstructions to trade were remooved, as also to kepe in order those that are loose and ill disposed people. To w^{ch} end his Ma^{tie} by advise of his Privie Councell and the Judges hath lately published a proclamacon declaring his pleasure and command; in what manner the truly poore and impotent should be relieved, those of able bodies should be sett on worke and imployed in honest labors and the sturdie, idle and dangerous roagues and vagabonds should be repressed and punished w^{ch} proclamacon you shall herew^{th} likewise receive. Now, bycause wee understand that in yo^r countie there is more than ordinarie occasion to use all dilligence and industrie at this time, wee have thought fitt to putt yo^u more particularlie in minde thereof, and in answere of yo^r l(ett)res to lett yo^u know that it is the resolucon of all the Judges, that by the lawe yo^u have sufficient power and ought to raise meanes out of the severall Parishes if they be of abilitie, or otherwise in their defect in their severall Hundrethes, Lathes or Wapentakes, and for want of their abilitie (to sett yo^r poore on worke and to relieve the aged and impotent not able to worke) in the whole bodie of the county, wherefore his Ma^{tie} commands that the wayes provided by lawe in theise cases be duely followed w^{th} all diligence and possible speede. You are required to understand the true state of the country from the ministers, churchwardens and overseers of the severall parishes w^{th}in your severall divisions. And what rests herein to be done by order at the Quarter Sessions, the judges advise that for this purpose you may call the Quarter Sessions sooner then the ordinary sett tymes and doe that w^{ch} in this case is so requisite. Further wee lett yo^u to know, that such hath bin his Ma^{t's} care and personall paines taken to remove theis impediments, that of late have bin to trade and to open a free vent to the commodities of yo^r country, that yo^rselves will shortily see the fruits of it to yo^r comforts neverthelesse in the meane tyme theise things provided by the lawe and the helpes that by yo^r care may be added are in no sorte to bee neglected, but exactly pursued of w^{ch} yo^r proceedings wee are to bee advertised that so wee may render account thereof to his Ma^{tie}. And so etc.

[Sidenote: Ut supra.]

A like warrant or lre to the Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace in the Countie of Suffolk, dated and signed ut supra.