being a means to restore them to their Rights and Freedomes, which they have for
these many yeares, to their great expence and pains sought after.
But so it is,may it please your Honours, your Petitioners having according to,
and by vertue of an Act of Parliament,Dated the 21 of February last,and also accroding
to an Order of the 9th of this instant March, a Coppy whereof was given to
the late Governours, Mr. William Cade, Mr. Deniel Fairfax, Mr. Thomas Jackson, and
also William Hasdoop, late Clerke, of whom your Petitioners have demanded possession
of the Hall, with all bookes, accounts, and other things whatsoever, appertaining
to the said Company. But they sleight and contemne the said Act and Order,
refusing to give possession of the said Hall, with the appurtenances, and have not according
to the said Order delivered up the bookes of Accounts, with all things belonging
to the Hall,and the said Clarke,not with standing the said Order for the delivering
of possession forth with, faith, he will not deliver possession till he be throwne
out.
Your Petitioners most humbly pray, the shall benefit of the said Act and Order, and that
the persons before expressed, who are the contemners and slighterst thereof, may be forthwith
dealt withall,according to your Honours wisdome, whereby all things may be delivered which
belongth and are for the use and benefit of the said Company. The urgent necessity of many
thousand Families, prayes reliefe without any further suite or trouble.
And your Petitioners shal ever pray, &c.
THe humble Petition of the late Bailiffes, Wardens, and Clarke of the Company of
Weavers was also read as followeth (viz.)
sh weth, That as to the late Act of Parliament, granted unto the Commonalty
of the Company of Weavers London,for the yearly electing of the Governours therof,
these presents do humbly submit, and acquiesce.
But whereas the newly elected Governors complaine that these Petitioners have
not only contemned and sleighted the said Act, but also an Order of this House
9 March last; affirming that these Petitioners have not delivered them possession of the companies Hall,and other things specified in the said Order.
Therefore notwithstanding the aforesaid mis-representations touching the Petitioners
in their deportments in the premises; they humbly D E C L A R E That as by
experience they have hitherto approved themselves cordiall friends to the proceedings
of Parliament, so they doubt not but to cleare their innocency touching any
contempt. The cafe being this (viz.)
The Companies hall being morgaged to secure 55Oli. taken up at interest for the
use of the State since 1640. is out of your Petitioners power to deliver up: neverthelesse
the new Governours have taken possession of the said Hall and Parlour to keep
their Courts in, and all the upper Roomes: and your Petitioners have delivered unto
them their Charter, Ordinances under seale, together with the transcript of the
said Ordinances, the Companies Mace, and divers bookes that were in their possession,
whereby they have, and may freely act without any abstruction of their
proceedings, And yet they refuse to give your Petitioners a Receit for what
they have delivered unto them (contrary to the expresse words of the aforesaid
Order, &c.
And these Petitioners further affirme, that notice hath been given unto the new
Governors, That these Petitioners books of accounts are also ready when they will
call for them.