THat whereas divers moneths past the petitioners pre­sented to this Honorable Assembly, a Bill to be pas­sed, as an Act of Parliament for the better Govern­ment of the generallity of Water-men, which bill being twice read, was committeed. And whereas the said Wa­termen exhibited a scandalous Petition against your petition­ers, thereby most unjustly charging them with diver grievan­ces, which petition was likewise committeed to the same Committee.

May it please this Honorable Assembly to be informed, that some of the Water-men (though the Bill was preferred by the consent of such who are trusted by the generallity, and con­taineth nothing but that which tendeth to the good of the Company) were so farre enraged, and incensed against your petitioners, that they threatned to raise many thousand wa­termen to be present at the Committee, to oppose your peti­tioners proceedings; And that they would cut some of your petitioners in pieces, and destroy some of them, as Doctor Lambe was murdered, and they so affronted and threatned your petitioners counsell, that (at one time) they durst nor appeare for your petitioners at the Committee; And some of them, namely Joshuah Church, boasted, that now during this parliament-time, they were free from all Government; And needed not in any thing to obey your petitioners their Ru­lers.

Insomuch, as by meanes thereof, divers great disorders and outrages have been lately committed by some of them, even in the view of some of your petitioners, who for feare of be­ing murdered by them, did not dare to enterpose their autho­ritie.

Now for as much as by reason of your farre more weighty and important Affaires, you have been pleased for a time to surcease any farther proceedings in this our cause; and for that wee have Just cause to feare (touching which, some of us have taken our oathes before Justices of the peace) that except some provident course be speedily taken to prevent the same, there will be violences offered to our persons, to the hazzard of our lives, and many other outrages committed by the rude multitude, who (in all their courses) are much guided and perswaded by the said Joshuah Church.

May it therefore please this Honorable Assembly, that it shall so seem good unto you in your grave wisdoms to con­vent before you the said Joshuah Church, and the rest above named, and strictly to enjoyne them not onely to forbeare to animate and encourage the generality in their disobed once, but (what shall in them lie) to perswade them to be conform­able to the Orders, or Rules of Government, 80 yeeres past, established by the Lords of his Majesties privie Counsell, the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen and Judge of the Admi­ralty, which your petitions are by their Oathes bound to bee carefull to see to be performed.

And as touching the redresse of their pretended grievances, there is a course prescribed unto them by the Stature of the second and third of Philip and Mary, to appeale to the Court of the L. Major and Aldermen of London, neverthelesse your petitioners shall in all humblenesse submit themselves to any other course to be taken therein, by this Honorable Assem­bly for the more speedy preventing of such mischieses, as o­therwise are like to ensue.

And your Petitioners, as otherwise bound, shall humbly pray for the blessing of God, on all your Councells and resoluti­ons.

The Overseers have alwayes since the Stat. 2 & 3. Phil. & Mary (concerning water-men) yeerly made choice of the dis­screetest [Page]and best sort of VVatermen, And now, to the [...]ntent that all t [...] world [...] take [...] & know [...] many water­men ha [...] [...] mislead and perswaded out of their moneys, and from all obe­dience, Rule and Order, & also what Grievous slanders have been laid up­on the over­seers & Ru­ler, on pur­pose to bring all govern­ment into contempt, & confusion, I will relate some parts of the A [...]ticles wherewith they charge the Rulers withall in Parliament, with a true confutation of them, and disproofe of all their most Jnjurious scandalts. Most humbly be­seeching, that if the Objections be proved true, Layd against the Rulers, they may receive such deserved punishment as their demerits; otherwise that it may be inflicted upon their unjust accusers. All which we most humbly leave to, &c. for election of Overs [...]ers and Rulers (without consent of the generality) And have yeer­ly presented the same to the L. Maior, and Court of Aldermen, who have these 86. yeers, elected and sworn them. And for any of the Overseers or Assistants, receiving bribes, as they are char­ged withall; It is humbly desired that the delinquents be puni­shed, if any such proofes appear, whether Accusors or Accused.

VVhereas they alledge, that Overseers at first admittance doe take an oath of secrecy not to reveale the Bribes taken, or how disposed of, it is humbly desired that Rob. Gibbs, VVil. Smith, Thomas Blackman, who have been Overseers (and are our op­posites) be examined who administred any such oath unto them

VVhereas they falfly charge the Overseers for extorting 5 l. from Lau. VVatson, before he could be made free, who having served his Mr. about 6. yeeres and a half (he then being in the Kings service) his Mr. and Dame dying, hee fell by Order to the disposing of the Overseers: whose time expited, and come­ing to be made free, the Company demanded 6 Moneths wa­ges of him (for the use of their poore) which was 4 l. 4 s. of which summe he paid the Company 30 s. the rest they gave him back to buy cloathes, which was 54 s. which is upon the Compa­nies account, in the yeer 1629 under the Auditors hands.

Next, they accuse the overseers for receiving 10 l. of T. Gyllet, who as they say served but 2. yeers of his time, and that the said 10 l. should privately be given as a bribe to Andr. Bartlet, to make Gyllet free, which is a slander, for Gyllet was in the yeer 1604. hired by one Rob. VVashfield, whom he served above 3. yeer, and served the remainder of his time with Rich. Oxford; for the 10 l. It was, at his making free, 1631. given to the poore of the company in open Court, the said Gyllet standing 28 yeers upon our Register before his making free. And after in the yeer 1632. John Heather one of the Overseers, now op­posite) charged J. Taylor, one of the Assistants (for receiving the same 10 l. of Gyllet, as a bribe to make him free) for which slander, Taylor brought his Action against the slanderer, and recovered of him Costs and Dammage, in Guild-hall.

And for VVilliam Cooper served one Thomas Burbydge of VVapping 3 yeers before this Master entered him, the said Burbidge still promising his servant that hee should loose no time (as was confidently affirmed by his dame, before he was made free) and after being entred for seven yeeres, he served five yeere, and almost a quarter; hee gave no bribe to the company, but some moneys to the poore, which is past upon their account, 1631.

So that Cooper was 8. yeeres and a quarter on the River, be­fore his freedome.

John Durfor having served out his yeeres, was made free for the ordinary fine, which all other Batchellors pay, being 3 s. 4 d.

And for Lewis VVatkins, the widdow Lewis her sonne, he served full 7. yeeres, and was made free in October, 1637. for the ordinary Batchellors fyne, 3 s. 4 d. without any bribe at all, yet our adversaries are not ashamed to slander us with ta- 24 s. 8 d. bribe.

VVhereas the overseers are charged with extorting moneys from the generall, yet that for confirmation of their book of Orders, for 20. yeers last past, which is most untrue, for the book of Orders was confirmed in Anno 1626. and Batchelors at their making free, did of their good wills give some 2 s. some 2 s. 6 d. and some 1 s. or 1 s. 6 d. for the space of 6. yeeres after, and never peny was taken since 1612. which is past up­on the Account under the Auditors hands, as may appeare, as [...] other moneys by them received for fines are: and it is certaine, that the Book cost the company above 115 l. before it was confirmed.

Abraham Plasted pay'd nothing when hee was admitted to Rowe but a friend of his (a Fruiterer in Southwarke) did give to the poore of the Company in 1631. and is upon the account [...]

Whereas they complaine that the Overseers for a brybe, have made one Simon Keyn free, which is untrue, for hee was made free by a refference from his Maiestie, as under a Ma­ster of the Requests hand may appeare, when we are comman­ded to produce it.

And for one VVilliam Parrat, that should be made free for a brybe, we know no such VVatermen in the River.

And further, they charge the Overseers with taking another brybe of seven Pounds for a servant turned over un­to him of the Goodwife Slyes, which Goodwife Sly had her husband then taken captive at Argier, with Turks, and that the Rulers did take the servant from the poore woman (hee b [...]ing then all the meanes to maintaine her and 2 Children, whom the Rulers are slander'd to sell Allen for 7. pound, which is also most false and untrue, for this servant, which the Ove [...]seers are so unjustly charged for contrary to our knowledges was, which John Heath one of the Overseers now Opposer) who held him contrary to order, and never was paid one peny to the Hall for him: this is a most mallitious slander.

And for one Coopers sonne, that should be made Free for a bribe, we know no such thing done, neither was any such made free.

And for the servant that was crost out of our Regester for misdemeanor by H. Quenbrough his Mr. and after entred to one John Kyrkham; Kyrkam payd no bribe, though you are bold to say the contrary) but the ordinary charges for entrance, is 2 s. 2 d. which he is ready to affirme, and depose.

VVhereas the Overseers are charged with a brybe o [...] 20 s. taken of Marrhew Pryte, for a servant turned unto him, which is untrue, for the Oversers tooke of him but 10 s. for selling his servant to his brother (being a Land man) contrary to order, which was but halfe his fyne, and it is upon the Accoun [...].

And for extorting forty shilling from John Buck, it is false, for hee paid to the poore but 20 s. which is also upon the ac­count, also he paid the said money by 4. or 3 s. a yeere, and was at the least 4. yeeres in paying it.

And for Aaron Evans, his paying 5 l. for a brybe, is untrue, as he will depose the contrary, that he paid not the vallew of one penny.

And for Henry Lide, nothing was paid for not paying his quarteridge, though we are tax'd to take 10 s. neither was hee threatned to be imprisoned; for how could Lide pay Quar­teridge at the VVatermens Hall, hee being absent 3. yeers, and from the East Indies.

And for the complaint made concerning the widdow VVright and the extorting forty shillings from one Cook, as a bride, that Cook should have the widowes servant, is altogether untrue and scandalls are.

Wheareas M. Rob. Clark is charged to take 20 l. for a Bribe, of one John Clarke for an Apprentice, it is a slander, for the Apprentice was Rob. Clarks and he (in leiue of only 5 l.) did with leave, let him to John Clark for 2. yeares.

And for extorting forty shillings from Christopher Parker, be­fore his Apprintice-hood was expir'd, is most vntrue, as all slan­ders are.

David VVilliams for keeping his servant 6. Moneths, contrary to order, his fines for the same beeing 15. shillings, hee paid only 8. shillings at the entrance of his man; which mony is vpon the Account. 16 35.

Josias Bend was committed to the Counter for abusing the Com­pany, in saying, They would make any man free for money.

And for VVilliam Brewton, he brought certificate, that his time was expired before his Marriage, and the suggestions against us concerning him, is altogether untrue.

And for Luke furnell, paying 5 s. it is most untrue, and a meer fiction.

And for Thomas Blackman, a late Ruler, finding the Rulers to take Bribes, as he slanders them, Indeed he did in his time, per­swade the Company to make an Apprentice free for a Bribe of 6 l. which they would not doe; the apprentice then was not, nor yet is out of his time) and after, Blackman being put out of the Hall, he Petitioned the Lord Maior, and Court of Aldermen, with most untrue complaints, where he was disproved in all his allegati­ons, and dismist from any more being Ruler or Assistant, as by an order of Court, and his submission under his owne hand appea­reth.

Whereas the Overseers are charged with extorting a bribe of 5 s. from Andrew Cuttler, for saving his man from whip­ping, it is very untrue, neither can any thing be proved in all that complaint.

And for the overseers extorting 4 l. 3 s. from Thomas Har­wood is most untrue, hee kept a servant unentred eighteen moneths contrary to order, whereby his fines came to 3 l. And the company being at 40 s. charge, to bring him to conformi­tie, they received of him for all, but 25 s. which is past upon the account, 1637. also wee have testimony under the hands of most substantiall men in Putney, of the bad carriage, and behaviour of the said Harwood; and the Rulers have also Har­woods Confession, and submission under his owne hand, and his sines to the full were more then 8 l.

And for the extorting 5 s. from James Webb. it is untrue, nor did any Ruler ever shew so little discretion, as to be so fa­miliar, to drinke with an Apprentice, and to set him at liber­tie for a pint of Wine.

Robert Browne, for being behind-hand 4. yeeres, and three quarters, and not paying his quarteridge, according to order, which is but 2 d. a quarter, which hee should pay once a yeer, it being 3 s. 6 d., was the 15 day of January 1639. committed to the Counter; and then hee caused the Company to be by Warrant brought before Master Recorder, who upon reading the Order for the same, enjoyned Browne to submit himselfe unto it, which hee did the fifth of February, 1639. and paid 5 s. for his time, which is past upon the Account, 1639.

And for the second complaint concerning James Weeb. and his wife, and his servant, it is altogether most untrue and mal­licious.

William Early paid his Master 5. of 20 s. for seeling his mans time or Apprentiship to himself, and be as a free-man, which is past upon the Account. 1639.

And for his Master, William Teero, who should likewise have paid, hee paid no fine at all.

John Middleton was committed to the Counter for abu­sing the Overseers in their Hall, and saying, Who had to doe with his mans playing at Dice, which is contrary to Appren­tices [Page]Indentures, and never was any summe of xls. demanded of him.

Thus is truely declared Part of the fowle standers which they have (not onely been so Jmpudent, as to prefer them in a Bill to the Homorable House of Commons in Parliament; they have also reported the said lies to many worthy Gentle­men and others (whom they have carried by water) by which meanes they caused many men of quallity to beleeve them, to the great disgrace of 40 antient men, 14. of them being his Majesties servants, 2. of them being Esquiers, and the most of them subsidy-men And on the 3. of March last, 1641. they most falsly and maliciously affirmed before the Right Hono­rable, the L. Maior, and Court of Aldermen, that the Rulers were twice Voted against in Parliament, which is so far from truth, that it is certaine, the cause was yet never heard in Par­liament; and that Honourable Court will never Vote against men before a hearing. Thus by slanders, clamours, threat­nings, multitudes, noyses, voices, most odious and shamelesse lies carried it against us; some of them have not been sparing to abuse his Majesty, to wrong the High Court of Parliament, to vilifie the Lord Maior, and Court of Aldermen, using all bad means (to the furthering of their Projects) against us; so that if wee should write one quarter of the wrongs we have suffered by them, the Book would out-swell the patience of the Reader, but by this that hath been said, the rest may be conjectured.

There are no Governors of any Company that are in such servile command to make account to every Idle fellow of their proceedings in their Halls, or places of meeting: nor can any Rules be so perfit, but some errors will happen, as long as men are men. But for us to be thus odiously traduced and slandered, we thought it best to declare it to the world, least by concealing of it, we should be accounted Insensibly stupid, or extreamely Guilty.

They have formerly slandered the Rulers with counterfeit­ing his Majesties hand, and pressing men into Germany, eleven yeers agoe; and that the Kings Subjects were bought and sold for money, all which was 10 yeers past proved false, for the [Page]King did affirme the warrants to be signed with his owne hand, and the service to be his Majesties (therefore it is rea­son the men that served, should be paid) But for the Rulers buying or selling of any men, they were long since cleered upon examination before the Officers of his Majesties Navie, who signified the same under their hands, to the Lords of the Privie Counsell, which Certificate and warrant the Rulers have to shew. Yet these uncivill men are not ashamed to tax them now againe with the same.

In 1634. they requested John Taylor to take some paines to move his Majestie, and the Lords for the suppressing of Hackney Coaches; they made a collection of 6 d. or 12 d. a­piece from many of them, to beare the Suit, so that Taylor Received xixl. 4 s. of them, he was 16. Moneths about it, and what with passing by water, and expen [...]es, and fees to Ma­sters of Requests, Clerks of the Counsell, the Signet, and o­ther Officers, and passing of seales, it cost Taylor 34 l. besides losse of time, but the Nineteenth of Jan. 1635. There was a strict Proclamation for the totall suppressing of all Hackney Coaches out of London and VVestminster, which Proclama­tion is yet to be seene, and fit to be observed; but for all the paines, charge, and losse of time, some shamelesse fellowes doe tax Taylor with couzning them of their money.

But to conclude, the Rulers do dare their oposers to make what proofes they can against them of any crimes, they are so unjustly charged withall; which the Rulers are as innocent as confident, that never any thing shall be proved, nor will any of their adversaries ever dare to goe about it.