THe Kings of England , time out of minde , were seized in Fee ( Jure Coronae ) of the Old Palace in Westminster , cum peatin : in Com : Midd : till 28 H. 8. Who being so seized , then purchased a great Mansion-house , parcel of the Possession of the Archbishop of York , near to the old Palace in Westminster , which being decayed , he built many fair Lodgings and Buildings for his pleasure and Commodity . H. 8. was then also seized in Fee ( Jure Coronae ) of St. James's Park , inclosed with a Brick and Stone wall . Whereupon 28 H. 8. praed ; It was Enacted by Parliament , That all the premises should be the Kings whole Palace at Westmimster , and so to be called for ever , and should extend , and be as well within the Soyl and Palace praed : as also in all the Street or way leading from Charing-Cross , to the Sanctuary Gate at Westminster , and in all the Buildings and Houses , Lands and Tenements on both sides of that Street , from the Cross to Westminster-hall , being between the Thames on the East part , and the Park-wall on the West , and so through all the Soyl Precincts and Limits of the Old Palace : And that the New Palace should have all the Prerogatives , Liberties , Priviledges , &c. as the Old Palace had ; and that the Old Palace should be reputed as parcel of the new : As by the Act.

Hereupon there happening to be many Intrusions and Incroachments upon the Palace , &c. in divers places : A Commission under the Great Seal was directed to the late Earl of Manchestor , and the now Earl of Dorset and others , in 110 Car : to inquire upon Oath , which were the just and ancient Metes and Bounds of the Palace of Westminster , and how far they extended , or were wont so to do , &c.

And an Inquisition , dat : 31 Julii , 11 Car : was thereupon found , containg the matters ( ut sup : ) And that within the said Palace there can a Common-Sewer from Petty-Callis Gate ; after dividing it self into two parts , one running near the Park-wall to the Ax-yard in Kings-street , and thence to the Black-Bell in that Street ; and the other part running from Petty-Callis Gate by the Back-side of the George in Kings-street , under the Stables and Coach-houses of the Blew-Boar ; and thence through Poulterers-yard , and thence to the Black-bell in Kings-street , and there both parts joyning , they ran through divers parts of Kings-street and Pentioners Alley , to the Orchard at White-hall , and thence into the Thames . And another Sewer running through the said Palace , from the Market-place near Kings-street , through the Wool-Staple into Canon-Row , and so into the Thames . Upon which Sewers divers Houses and Buildings were erected , and also upon St. James's Park-wall in divers places , and other parts of that Wall were demolished ; instead whereof Portland-house and Kirk-house were built : And that the Old Wall extending from the Gate at the end of the Parliament Stairs within the Old Palace , to the Kings Mill , was in some parts defaced and others demolished , and in divers parts thereof , divers Houses and Buildings erected . And that upon the Old Stone wall , extending from the Gate-house of the Old Palace yard , in length to the Thames , and returning to the Kings Bridge , divers Houses and Buildings were erected . And that divers Houses , Wharfs and Buildings were erected within the Limits of the Old Palace , between the said Old Stone wall at the Gate of the Parliament Stairs , and the Kings Mill and Thames . And that upon a Stone wall near H. the Sevenths Chappel , A house called Heaven ; and against the Wall of the Court of Requests , divers Houses and Buildings were erected : As by the Inquisition .

Hereupon another Commission under the Great Seal , dat . 30 Martii , 13 Car . was directed to the E : of Manchester and Dorset , and others reciting the premises , and impowering them or any three of them ( whereof Manchester or Dorset to be one ) to enquire upon Oath by Jury and witnesses , Whither the just and ancient Bounds of the Palace at Westminster extended beyond the Metes and Bounds ( sup . ) and how and in what maner , and what persons , without Right or Title held any Houses &c. within the same : And what Incroachments had been made , and by whom , and how great , and of what value , for which no Rent or Profit was paid to the Crown ; and what these Rents , Issues or Profits amounted too , and by whom Received . And upon such inquiry , to Compound with the Intruders and Incroachers , their Heirs , Ex●●●●●●● Administrators or Assigns , for their Fines and Sums of Money to be assessed , for holding any Houses , Buildings , &c. within the said Palace , which of right did belong to the Crown , or otherwise , for the grant of the Premises to them , or for pardoning , releasing or discharging them of their Intrusions and Incroachments ; and if they should refuse to Agree and Compound , Then the Commissioners to sell and alien their Incroachments , and the same to be ratified by Grant under the Great Seal , wherein a small Rent should be reserved to the Crown , and the premises to be held in Socage of the Manor of East-Greenwich . And upon every Composition for any Grant , Pardon , Release or License , a fourth part of every such Composition was to be paid to the use of the Crown into the Exchequer , and the other three parts to Sir Humphrey Style 〈…〉 Baronett his Executors and Assigns without any Accompt : for which three parts the Officers of the Exchequer were to enter discharges , as if the same had been paid to the Crown .

And the Attorney and Solicitor-General , and all other Officers and Ministers , were to cause all Proces and other means to be used for the Execution of these Letters Parents , as well for the benefit of the Crown as of Sir Humphrey Style his Executors , Administrators and Assigns , &c. as by the Letters Patents .

Hereupon after divers sittings of the Commissioners to Compound with the Intruders and Incroachers , returned in the Inquisition sup : and the refusal of divers of them : An information of Intrusion was exhibited by Sir John Banks into the Exchequer against such of the said Refusers by reason of the premises : And they answered , and Issue was joyned : And 7 Iunii in Trin : 14 Car : the Cause was heard , and upon full proof , the Court found the Intrusions and Incroachments then in proof , and Ordered a Commission of Survey directed to George Courthope and Gerard Goar , Esqs ; to view the same with Workmen , and certifie in particular the Extent and maner of the same , for the better Information of the Court , and they accordingly returned their Certificate ( as thereby appears ) finding the particular Incroachments , &c. And thereupon , 23 Octob . 14 Car . the Court confirmed that Certificate , and Awarded an Injunction against the Intruders directed to the Sheriff of Middlesex , forth with to demolish and pull down the Intrusions and Incroachments within the said Palace according to the Certificate : As by the Injunction may appear .

Whereupon the Sheriff went about to demolish divers Buildings , &c. and then divers of the persons concerned came in and Compounded ; but the Wars and Troubles ensuing , the further Execution of this Commission ceased , and now there are but three Commissioners living , and onely the Earl of Dorset of the Quorum .

The Parliament in the Act for sale of the Crown Lands , 16 Julii , 1649. have excepted from Sale the premises .

And by several Acts of this Parliament , particular Rights of private persons confirmed heretofore by Patent to them upon good consideration , and where the Interest of the Publique may be concerned ( as it is in this case ) are allowed and approved ; and it s the common course of the Exchequer .

The case standing thus , and there being many Incroachments ut sup : uncompounded for , Sir Humphrey Style desireth that this Commission may be set on foot according to the nature thereof , and the Judgement of the Exchequer ; whereby advantage will come to the State , and a competent satisfaction to himself , who spent in the prosecution of the former Business above 2000 : 00 : 00 : The parties concerned having no right in the world to their Buildings , for that they have in the Exchequer either confessed their Intrusions , &c. or they were fully proved .

And to the end that such a course may be had , either upon this Commission , or by renewing it and appointing new Commissioners , or otherwise as the Parliament shall think fit ● saving to Sir Humphrey Style his right ) is left to due consideration .