A
true
declaration
of
the
state
of
the
Manufacture
of
gold
and
siluer
Threed
,
from
the
beginning
of
the
making
thereof
here
in
England
,
vntill
this
present
.
AFter
many
trials
for
the
making
of
gold
and
siluer
Threed
,
time
at
last
made
discouery
thereof
according
to
the
maner
of
Millain
in
Italy
,
where
it
is
thought
to
be
one
of
the
most
beneficiall
mysteries
in
that
Nation
,
consisting
of
so
many
parts
,
imploying
by
computation
40000
persons
,
wherewith
they
haue
heretofore
serued
Christendome
,
and
thereby
enriched
themselues
.
Henry
the
4.
of
France
,
a
Prince
as
well
prouident
in
peace
as
warre
,
had
such
a
sence
thereof
,
that
besides
his
princely
patronage
,
hee
gaue
60000.
French
Crownes
to
helpe
their
proceedings
,
which
by
his
vntimely
death
came
not
to
perfection
.
The
laudable
practise
hereof
,
together
with
apparant
hopes
of
benefit
,
both
to
the
vndertakers
and
the
State
,
(
the
commoditie
not
being
worth
in
the
Materialls
the
one
moitie
it
was
vsually
sold
for
,
leauing
the
rest
behind
where
it
was
made
)
was
a
iust
motiue
to
vndertake
the
same
,
whereby
the
profit
might
rather
accrew
to
our selues
,
then
to
forreigne
Nations
,
viz.
that
which
vsually
cost
5
s.
6.
d.
is
not
worth
aboue
2
s.
8
d.
or
thereabouts
the
rest
being
gained
by
the
Manufacture
,
and
therfore
was
set
on
foote
the
8.
yeare
of
the
King
.
The
labour
was
difficult
,
dangerous
,
and
so
chargeable
to
be
effected
,
that
the
aduenture
required
a
time
of
priuiledge
,
to
recompence
the
Industry
of
those
that
vndertooke
the
same
;
wherefore
it
pleased
his
Maiestie
at
the
suite
of
the
late
Lord
Io.
Harrington
the
elder
,
and
the
Countesse
of
Bedford
,
to
grant
a
Pattent
for
the
sole
exercise
thereof
for
a
time
.
In
the
passing
of
which
Pattent
,
3.
especiall
things
presented
themselues
to
the
consideration
of
the
State
,
which
were
referred
to
the
examination
of
the
Lord
Treasurer
Salisbury
and
others
.
First
,
whether
it
had
been
a
former
Trade
here
or
no.
Secondly
,
the
consumption
of
Bullion
.
And
lastly
,
his
Maiesties
Customes
.
For
the
First
,
by
report
of
Goldsmiths
,
Imbrotherers
and
Silkemen
,
it
was
not
found
to
be
any
former
Trade
.
For
the
consumption
of
Bullion
,
it
was
supposed
that
the
benefit
of
the
Trade
far
oueruallued
that
consumption
.
For
the
maintaining
of
his
Maiesties
Customes
,
the
Pattentees
gaue
securety
,
and
paid
accordingly
.
This
Pattent
continuing
vnder
these
examinations
and
tryalls
almost
one
whole
yeare
past
the
9.
yeare
of
the
King
,
with
approbation
,
and
so
continued
vntill
the
13.
without
opposition
,
by
which
time
persons
employed
,
who
were
many
,
and
of
seuerall
quallities
,
comming
to
some
reasonable
perfection
,
by
chargeable
experience
to
the
Pattentees
,
were
for
a
greater
recompence
enticed
,
and
imployed
by
strangers
and
others
in
corners
,
hauing
by
this
time
found
out
cauells
against
the
Kings
Grant
,
for
want
of
words
which
being
heard
at
a
Councell
Table
,
was
ouer
ruled
,
and
a
new
Pattent
granted
with
more
ample
words
,
the
better
to
expresse
his
Maiesties
pleasure
,
and
a
Proclamation
published
to
this
effect
,
which
gaue
a
present
shew
of
remedy
,
but
fell
out
otherwise
:
for
that
this
Trade
comming
to
a
further
veiw
of
perfection
,
certaine
Gold-wierdrawers
for
purls
,
plates
,
oes
,
spangles
,
&c.
being
free
of
the
Goldsmiths
Company
,
layd
a
title
or
claime
thereto
as
a
part
of
their
Trade
,
and
although
before
the
Lord
Chancellour
Ellesmere
,
and
others
of
his
Maiesties
Priuy
Councell
and
Commissioners
they
were
heard
,
and
determined
not
to
intermedle
,
they
ceased
not
to
continue
either
to
make
the
commoditie
,
or
to
prepare
the
Materialls
in
drawne
wyer
,
to
sell
to
poore
people
of
a
desperate
condition
,
who
venting
the
same
dayly
to
Silke-men
and
Lace-makers
for
present
ready
money
,
were
forced
to
sell
their
labours
so
cheape
,
as
vrged
their
necessities
to
seeke
for
new
seuerall
fraudulent
deuises
for
benefit
,
which
hath
since
dayly
increased
.
So
this
mischiefe
increasing
,
and
the
error
in
beleeuing
in
the
valliditie
of
the
Kings
Grant
,
and
not
considering
the
great
benefit
of
the
meanest
subiects
liberty
,
inforced
vs
to
seeke
new
wayes
of
remedy
,
by
executing
of
warrants
and
Commissions
,
wherein
they
either
exceeding
,
or
not
proceeding
with
that
discretion
and
iudgment
as
was
requisite
,
drew
on
many
seuerall
complaints
to
the
last
Parliament
,
who
conceiuing
them
iust
agrieuances
both
in
matter
and
maner
,
the
Pattent
by
his
Maiestie
〈…〉
was
condemned
,
but
the
Manifacture
it selfe
by
reason
of
the
Parliaments
sudden
dissolution
left
vnregulated
,
by
which
meanes
the
abuses
no
wayes
diminishing
,
but
rather
increasing
,
and
the
inconueniences
of
the
great
wast
of
Bullion
more
plainely
appearing
:
his
Maiestie
with
the
Lords
and
others
of
his
Priuy
Councell
taking
it
into
their
consideration
,
vpon
mature
deliberation
,
thought
the
most
present
remedy
was
vtterly
to
suppresse
the
said
Trades
,
and
all
vnlawfull
melting
and
fining
of
gold
and
siluer
,
according
to
a
Statute
in
the
raigne
of
Henry
the
7
,
and
other
Statutes
both
formerly
and
since
to
that
effect
.
But
this
prohibition
by
his
Maiestie
and
the
Lords
was
so
farre
from
taking
any
effect
either
in
the
Finers
obedience
,
who
are
the
maine
offendors
,
or
in
the
inferior
workers
,
by
reason
of
continuall
buyers
and
receiuers
of
the
commodity
,
as
it
grew
vp
to
a
far
higher
inconuenience
then
euer
,
and
was
impossible
to
reforme
by
suppression
,
the
multitude
being
so
great
of
inferior
necessitated
people
:
the
consideration
hereof
moued
his
Maiestie
and
the
Lords
to
compassionate
the
cause
,
and
vpon
the
humble
petition
of
diuerse
conformable
persons
then
in
exercise
of
the
said
Manufacture
,
a
Charter
of
Incorporation
was
granted
vpon
these
ensuing
propositions
.
For
the
regulating
of
the
gold
and
siluer
thread
businesse
,
and
to
giue
a
remedy
to
the
inconueniences
,
(
aswell
by
consumption
of
Bullion
thereby
,
as
by
other
vses
of
the
like
nature
arising
)
besides
the
losse
that
may
be
of
his
Maiesties
Customes
by
that
to
be
made
here
,
your
Lordships
humble
petitioners
vndertaking
the
said
Manufacture
,
humbly
desire
consideration
and
allowance
of
the
propositions
following
.
viz.
1.
To
haue
a
Corporation
,
and
allowance
of
power
conuenient
to
examine
,
find
out
,
and
punish
the
abuses
aswell
in
others
,
as
those
of
the
same
Companie
,
practising
the
vnlawfull
melting
and
fining
of
gold
or
siluer
,
for
the
making
of
gold
or
siluer
thread
,
and
drawing
of
wier
for
that
or
any
other
vse
whatsoeuer
,
as
for
purles
,
plates
,
oes
,
spangles
,
for
damasking
and
inlaying
wyer
,
for
wyer
for
cloth
of
gold
and
siluer
,
and
such
like
:
and
to
haue
power
to
make
lawes
and
orders
amongst
themselues
as
in
that
case
is
vsuall
,
and
to
suppresse
all
others
that
are
not
allowed
to
be
of
the
same
Company
.
2.
That
one
place
onely
be
appointed
and
authorized
,
and
that
within
the
Tower
of
London
,
or
in
the
Hall
of
the
said
Company
,
whether
all
such
siluer
ought
to
be
brought
,
to
be
prepared
or
made
fit
to
be
sold
for
the
making
of
gold
or
siluer
wyer
for
all
the
aforesaid
vses
,
that
the
quantety
may
appeare
what
is
yearely
expended
.
3.
That
a
Standard
be
appointed
of
the
finesse
of
Sterling
money
,
with
the
remedy
of
two
penny
waight
.
4.
That
his
Maiesties
sworne
Officer
or
Officers
keepe
a
true
accompt
of
all
such
siluer
or
gold
brought
in
,
and
deliuered
out
for
any
of
these
vses
,
and
to
make
and
keepe
an
Assay
of
the
true
finesse
and
goodnesse
.
5.
That
in
case
of
discouering
any
person
making
base
or
counterfet
siluer
for
thread
,
or
any
of
the
other
vses
,
to
the
abuse
of
his
Maiesties
subiects
,
and
in
contempt
of
his
Maiesties
Proclamation
:
they
humbly
desire
punishment
of
the
offendors
in
the
Starchamber
for
example
to
others
.
And
the
better
to
effect
this
.
6.
That
his
Maiestie
may
be
pleased
to
grant
Proclamation
against
all
other
Finers
then
in
the
Tower
or
Hall
of
the
said
Company
,
and
to
prohibite
all
the
making
,
venting
,
buying
or
selling
of
gold
and
siluer
thread
made
here
vnsealed
,
and
all
such
wyer
made
here
,
for
any
of
the
aforesaid
vses
:
and
to
prohibit
the
preparing
of
all
or
any
maner
of
materialls
,
and
things
for
the
making
of
gold
and
siluer
thread
,
other
then
such
as
is
to
serue
to
the
end
of
this
Corporation
.
Which
propositions
on
his
Maiesties
behalfe
being
performed
,
they
shall
be
enabled
,
and
doe
on
their
behalfes
promise
the
performance
of
these
ensuing
Articles
.
1.
To
giue
security
to
his
Maiestie
,
to
be
taken
by
the
Lord
Treasurer
and
Chancellor
,
for
the
time
being
to
make
appeare
by
substantiall
proofe
,
the
good
effect
in
the
performance
,
that
after
one
sixe
moneths
first
allowed
them
for
prouision
and
store
,
they
will
yearely
bring
in
before
hand
so
much
Bullion
from
forreigne
parts
to
the
Tower
of
London
,
and
conuert
the
same
into
the
Currant
coyne
of
the
kingdome
,
as
shall
be
expended
on
those
vses
,
for
which
a
true
and
exact
accompt
is
to
be
kept
.
2.
That
each
person
of
the
Corporation
will
giue
bond
to
his
Maiesties
vse
,
and
at
his
admittance
into
the
Company
shall
take
oath
not
to
vse
or
buy
any
siluer
at
all
for
any
of
the
vses
aforesaid
,
but
that
which
he
shall
buy
in
the
Tower
of
London
.
3.
They
doe
further
offer
to
pay
his
Maiestie
,
in
consideration
of
the
losse
of
custome
that
may
arise
by
the
said
Manufactures
and
otherwise
,
sixe
pence
vpon
euery
ounce
of
gold
and
siluer
wyer
they
shall
haue
occsion
to
vse
for
any
of
the
aforesaid
vses
,
and
to
pay
foure
pence
for
the
Seale
vpon
euery
Marke
or
pound
of
thread
.
4.
They
doe
not
desire
to
prohibit
any
forreigne
commoditie
of
that
nature
,
being
brought
in
by
way
of
trade
,
except
it
shall
proue
base
or
counterfit
,
then
the
same
to
be
forfeited
.
5.
And
they
farther
humbly
desire
,
that
vpon
performance
of
the
premises
at
the
expiration
of
the
time
limited
,
and
giuing
new
bonds
,
their
old
bonds
may
be
deliuered
vnto
them
againe
.
These
Letters
Pattents
of
Incorporation
had
beginning
in
Iune
last
,
with
power
to
make
orders
according
to
the
vsuall
course
of
that
kind
,
wherein
were
incorporated
neere
to
the
number
of
100.
persons
,
as
principalls
to
imploy
others
,
who
were
thereby
prescribed
to
enter
bond
of
100
l.
a
peece
to
his
Maiestie
,
and
besides
to
take
oath
.
All
which
whole
number
,
(
except
one
deceitfull
old
woman
,
and
one
that
was
her
Seruant
)
tooke
the
same
oath
accordingly
,
and
three
other
by
their
example
refused
to
enter
into
bond
,
rather
iesting
with
an
oath
,
then
aduenturing
to
be
bound
to
that
they
had
already
sworne
to
:
these
being
obstinate
in
their
owne
wayes
,
entending
fraud
from
the
beginning
,
and
neither
expecting
dutie
to
his
Maiestie
or
the
Lawes
,
or
conueniences
of
the
weale
publique
,
practising
by
sinister
wayes
and
secret
vndiscernable
courses
by
all
possible
meanes
to
bring
all
backe
into
confusion
,
that
they
might
againe
returne
to
the
course
of
vnlawfull
melting
and
fining
of
gold
and
siluer
,
to
be
conuerted
to
any
of
the
forbidden
vses
,
by
whose
former
and
latter
example
all
other
irreguler
persons
are
incouraged
presumptuously
and
confidently
to
follow
their
wayes
,
inconsiderately
presuming
of
that
liberty
that
neither
the
lawes
of
the
Kingdome
,
nor
conueniencie
of
State
can
any
wayes
tollerate
.
The
effect
of
this
,
presents
to
consideration
4.
principall
points
.
First
,
the
vnorderly
consumption
and
waste
of
Bullion
without
account
,
to
the
hinderance
and
preuention
of
the
encrease
of
the
coine
of
this
Kingdome
:
and
this
comes
first
from
vnlawfull
finers
,
who
melting
downe
great
quantities
of
coine
and
bullion
,
to
enrich
themselues
thereby
,
disperse
and
dispose
it
to
all
persons
,
which
may
be
aswell
transported
as
vsed
here
on
these
prohibited
vses
,
and
these
examples
enuite
and
incourage
all
these
disorderly
persons
.
And
these
secret
finers
,
are
ordinary
receiuers
of
stolne
plate
from
any
person
whatsoeuer
.
2.
The
falsification
of
the
commodity
by
these
disordered
persons
,
either
by
imbasing
the
quallity
thereof
in
seuerall
kindes
,
or
in
not
giuing
the
due
proportion
of
quantity
thereunto
,
in
the
ouerflight
working
of
the
commodity
.
3.
Preiudice
to
his
Maiestie
in
those
duties
that
are
to
him
acknowledged
by
way
of
recompence
,
for
the
losse
of
customes
of
that
was
vsually
brought
from
forreigne
parts
.
4.
The
inequallity
of
iustice
to
such
as
haue
duly
serued
in
a
lawfull
way
of
trade
,
when
aswell
forraigners
and
strangers
expelled
their
own
Countrey
,
appropriate
to
themselues
both
the
benefit
of
naturall
borne
subiects
,
and
of
free
men
,
to
the
nursery
of
lewde
idle
and
dishonest
seruants
,
who
vntimely
make
themselues
free
men
from
their
Masters
seruice
without
consent
.
Whereas
on
the
contrary
,
true
account
being
kept
of
the
Bullion
,
it
will
be
a
great
meanes
for
the
dayly
imployment
of
his
Maiesties
Mint
,
preuent
all
falsities
:
gaue
Caesar
his
due
,
and
distribute
equall
Iustice
to
such
as
either
serue
or
purchase
their
trades
by
redemption
:
and
the
Commodities
better
,
and
better
cheape
then
euer
.