ABout the 7 th of March 1655. Master Whiting and Master Spelman came to Richard Hodgkinsonne to treat about the printing of Judge Crookes [or Sir George Crookes] Reports; desiring the said Hodg. to tell him truly and conscienciously, what he would print it for by the sheete and finde Paper? The sum the said Hodgkinsonne then pitcht unto them was a farthing a sheete, the number printed being two thousand upon each sheete, and the Paper to bee worth five shillings a Reame ( viz. five shillings and six pence perfect) so for that time they parted: But shortly after Master Whiting came to the said Hodg. with one Master Bacon, and desired the said Hod. to make some Proves, which he accordingly did.
About the 12 of September 1656. M. Jo. Whiting, and M. Clem. Spelman went to the Warden of the Stationers; where M. Whiting desired to have Sir G. Crookes Reports entred to the said Hodgkinsonne, declaring unto the said Warden that he had agreed with the said Hodg. for printing them, and therefore willed him to take a care that none else should meddle with the printing of them.
The 15 day M Whiting, M. Spelman and Hodg. went to the Clerk, where M. Whiting declared the same words he had done before to the Warden, but the Clerke refused Entrance to the said Hodg. upon pretence of a former entry to one Warren.
The 16 day M. Whiting, and M. Spelman went to Stationers-hall, and there at a publique Court M. Whiting disclamed the Entrance of Warren, as surreptitious, and declared his agreement with Hodg. as formerly he had done to the Warden and the Clerke, but no Entry was made as desired.
The 16 day of October M. Spelman M. Richison, M. [...] went with Hodg. to the Hall, where he presented the Copy, and required Entrance, but was put off.
The 5 of January M. Spelman and M. Whiting went with Hodg. again to a publique Court, where he presented the Copy requiring Entrance, but was put off again, &c.
This caused M. Whiting to complain to the Lord chiefe-Justice of the upper-Bench, who (accompanied with 3 or 4 other of the Judges) after hearing all that could be said by the Company, for neglecting to enter to Hodg. as also what Warren could say for his pretended claim; unâ voce Ordered, That the former pretended Entry to Warren, so surreptitiously obtein'd, should be obliterate, and the said Copy be Entred de novo to the said Hodgkinson.
The 20 of October 1657. the 17 yeers of King Charles began to be printed, during the printing whereof, M. Whiting hath divers times declared to the several Workmen, and to sundry other Persons (before them in the Work-house) which he hath brought thither to see that work, and Printing; That he had agreed with M. Hodgkins. for printing of Sir Georg Crooks Reports, and that the book, then in hand, of King Charles his 17 yeers; was not a third part of it: for there was beside 22 yeers of King James his time, and 11 yeers of Queen Elizabeths time; Before the said Workmen, the said M. Whiting hath often been angry with the said Hodg. for finishing what work he had before, and forbad him to entertain any other worke; assuring him that he would finde him worke for 7 yeers, with the books aforesaid; And hee hath driven Customers from his the said Hodg. house that have come to him about work.
The 23 of March, two Book-sellers came into the Workhouse of the said Hodg. and in the presence of the Workmen, did much importune the said Hodg. to take and print for them what number of sheets he pleased of the Lord Hubbards Reports; but Hodg. told them he could not entertain their work untill he had acquainted M. Whiting, and obtein'd his consent.
The 26 day, M. Whiting being in the Workhouse, the said Hodg. moved him for his consent; but he refused, saying, That there were Reports of one Bulstrode Whitlocks printing, which he would not for 100 l. should come out before his 11 yeers of King James; and therefore willed the said Hodg. not to think of entertaining any other worke, but to finish the 17 yeers of King Charles with all speed, and to print for him the 11 yeers of king James by Michaelmas.
Shortly after Hodg. told M. Whiting that King Charles was neer done, and desired to know if the Copy for King James his time were ready or not; if it were not, and that the presse, for want-thereof, should stand still, it would be very chargeable: Whereupon within a day or two after M. Whiting brought the said Copy into the said Workhouse, where Hodg. cast it off, and concluded that the last 11 yeers of King James should make a second Volume.
About the 30 of May King Charles was finished, and Hod. asking M. Whiting for the Copy of King James his time, to goe in hand with all; M Whiting told him it was in Just. Hales hand for perusall, but promised faithfully to bring it to him in a fortnight: The said Master Whiting came again within 2 or 3 dayes and desired Hodg. to provide worke for a Moneth, if he could; for (being tyred) he had a mind to goe into the Country; and then promised without faile to bring the said Copy to him, within a moneth; but failed then as before.