THE Kings Majesty , by an Act of this present Parliament , is graciously pleased to Enact , that 400. Hackney-Coaches should be Licenced , and each of them to pay the yearly Rent of 5 l. and no more ; By which said Act it was Ordained , That the Commissioners for the Hackney-Coaches , should take an especial care , in the first place , to Licence antient Hackney-Coachmen , and such Coachmen as have been Sufferers for their service and affections to his late Majesty , or his Majesty that now is ; or the Widowes of them that have Coaches of their own .

Upon the Licencing of the 400. Hackney-Coaches , in pursuance of the said Act , the then Commissioners for the Coaches , did make an Order , and accordingly suffer their Clerk ( in their presence ) to exact , and take 10 s . of each Coachman for his Licence ; and soon after made another Order , for James Spelman , the Clerk's Assistant , to take 2 s . 6 d . of each Coachman , for a new-invented Mark .

In March following , some of the Coachmen made a Complaint in Parliament , of the last mentioned , and other exacted Moneys ; all which were adjudged Grievances , and several Offenders ordered to be Indicted , by the Votes of the House of Commons , of the 30th . of March 1663.

In December following , new Commissioners being appointed , summon the Coachmen to take new Licences ; at which time , according to their pre-intention , they grant Licences to divers other Persons , to drive , with the Figures belonging to several Licenced Coachmen ( especially those that had sollicited the above-mentioned Complaints against them , and their Officers ) thereby intending to take away their Licences , and Livelyhoods , which is humbly conceived , was intended them , by the Parliament , as a Privilege and Gratuity ( without Oppression or infringement ) for their service and sufferings .

Ever since that time the streets have been thronged with a multitude of Coaches , by reason many un-licenced Coachmen have thereby taken liberty , and do drive without contradiction , to the great Impoverishment of the Licenced Coachmen .

The Commissioners , the last Session of Parliament , endeavoured to have an Act pass in the House of Commons to create them such a power as they had already exercised beyond their Authority , but for just reasons then offered they were frustrated .

The Commissioners , this present Session of Parliament , have obtained a Bill to pass in the House of Lords to their desired purpose , whereby they have power from time to time to grant such , and so many Licences ( not exceeding 400. at one time ) and for so long time as they shall think fit . To summon , and upon Oath to Convict Offenders , and to punish them by Fines , as they shall think fit , not exceeding 40 s . And in relation to Hackney-Coaches , to have a full and ample power to examine , and punish in such manner as the Commissioners have power for the Streets and High-wayes , only leaving any person or persons agrieved , to be relieved in the Exchequer , according to Equity and Justice .

It is humbly conceived , the Parliament did not intend by their first Act to leave Antient Hackney-Coachmen and Sufferers to the Commissioners upon any small distast , at their will and pleasure , to put them out of their Livelyhoods ( as they have done ) being rightly qualified and Licensed , and thereupon have straightned themselves , and their Friends , in obtaining Leases of Habitations convenient for Coach-Houses , Stables , and sufficient Coaches & Horses ; all which ( if suppress'd in their Occupations ) are little worth ; and themselves , Wives and Families , left in a miserable Condition ; having no other way upon the Earth whereby to get Bread . And if the Parliament shall think fit to grant the Commissioners this large Power , there is no doubt , by the instigation of their selfish Officers , it will be exceeded , as the former was ; and the Parliament ( as hitherto ) at every Session , troubled with Complaints , to the hinderance of greater Affairs . And if the Commissioners shall have Power to punish Offenders , as they shall think fit , 〈◇〉 . Partiality will alwayes attend them , as hath been all along experienced , without any such Power : And in the mean time , whilst any poor man ( not in favour with the Commissioners Officers , lyes under their rigour and oppression ) is prosecuting his Appeal , for relief in the Exchequer , must perhaps beg his Food , or run away ( as hath happened to divers ) the Commissioners having declared , they have 2000 l. a Year , to wage Law with the Coachmen .

It may be Objected , The Coachmen are abusive to Gentlemen ; Which may be admitted : But the civil Coachmen only suffer for such ; being most of them civil House-keepers , and responsible for any Abuse ; those Abuses being committed only by the Servants and Drivers for some of them , of which their Masters are innocent ; and will sometimes happen , unless the Coachmen have some Government , by , and among themselves , not to employ such , under a Penalty ; Which Regulation can never be expected from the Commissioners . For remedy of all which ,

It is humbly propounded , That the Power of the Commissioners may be transferred to the Government of the City of London , with Power , from time to time , to make and publish such necessary By-Laws , as the Lord Mayor , and Court of Aldermen , shall think fit ; being Commissioners named , to all intents and purposes , in the first Act ; where the Coachmen can assure themselves to have their Complaints heard , and redressed : and do expect nothing but just Punishment for Offences , without partiality or favour ; which they most desire to submit unto ; a great number of the Coachmen being Freemen , and Inhabitants within the City .