PROPOSALS Humbly offered for Raising One Million of Money.
THE Victuallers or Alehouse-keepers within the City of London and Liberties thereof, are very numerous, and also all England over.
The Victuallers or Alehouse-keepers in London, are put to a considerable trouble and expence for getting and renewing their Licenses, viz. for a new License a Guinea or more, and for renewing, every year Twenty Shillings and upwards for their License Fee, to some Officers and others within the said City, besides attendance a day or two sometimes together, at their expence and loss of business that time.
The Alehouse keepers and Victuallers in the several Counties in England, pay perhaps 7 s. 6 d. for a new License, and for renewing once a year 3 s. 6 d. and upwards, which goes to the private gain of some particular persons.
That in the said City of London and Suburbs, as also in the several Counties in England and Wales, &c. there are a great many Inn-keepers, Coffee-houses and Cooks, which sell a great quantity of Ale and Beer yearly, without paying for any License for the same.
So that if 15 s. per Ann. for a License were paid to the King towards the charge of the War, within the said City of London and Bills of Mortality, for all Alehouse-keepers, Inn-keepers or their Tapsters, Coffee-houses or Cooks selling Ale or Beer, and also upon all persons selling Brandy or other strong Waters within the Liberty of the City and Bills of Mortality aforesaid, and Penalty for those refusing to take a License for the same.
And if 7 s. 6 d. per Annum for a License for the Alehouse-keepers, Inn-keepers or their Tapsters, Cooks and Coffee-houses, and persons selling Brandy or other Strong Waters in the several Counties in England, Wales, &c. And a Penalty upon refusal thereof; besides, the reasonable Fines for new Licenses, as occasion serves: This will amount (by computation) to the Sum proposed, without any hardship to the people concerned therein; many of which pay greater Sums than now proposed, and no benefit thereby accrues to the Publick.
The same Persons (if approved) may License the said Victuallers as before, viz. the Justices of Peace in the several Counties, His Majesty only appointing a Register and Receiver in each County in England, Wales, &c. whose attendance need not be above one Month in a Year.
- John Cuthbert,
- John Nicholls.