A TRVE
DISCOVERY
OF THE
P ROIE CTO RS OF
J HE wiKE Project;
out of the Vintners owne
orders made at their Common-ha]],
Whereby itclearely appearesthat
this projeft was contrived at Vint-
nirs Nail by the drawittg Vintners
of London , and for their
only ad vantage,to fupprefle the
Coopers,and monopolize the
foie benefit of retailing
wines thccughout this
And hereby is alfo truly fct forth the
exccflive gaines and great exaftions
of the Vintners in the ret ay leaf
thcirwines, and their un-
wholforae mixtures
thercofc
* Londonprintcdfor ihomtu Wdklty,
1(541.
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BRITISH MUSITUvI^ji
jsALE DtM'UCAyi:-,
1 7 8 7 ,iJ
^WWWWWW.
TRVE DISCOVERY
of the Proiedors of the Wine
Projcd, out of the Vintners own or-
ders made at their Common-hall,where-
by it clearly appeares that this project
was contrived at Vintners hall by the
Drawing Vintners of London,
and for their only advantage,
to fappreffe the Coopers, and
movopolixe the fok bene'
ft of retoyWng wines
throughout this
Kingdomc.
^ And hereby it is alfo truly fet forth
the exceflSvc gaines and great
cxaftions of the Vintners in the re-
tayleof their wines,and their
wnwholfome mixtures
thereof.
N the fixt of November, 1537, at
a gcnerall meeting of all re-
taylers of wines in London ,
Wejlminjler, and the Confines
thereof at Vintners hall , the
generality made choife of AI-
derman^^W, then Maftcr of their Company,
EdmrdKynafion, Ralphliore'S^ixdeas, RorvUnd
A %
ij
<^4^5
Thom/ts UutchinfoHy WtUhm Ef.
quires y Robert Shawy_ SLwd lofeph Graves , George
Huihnty Michael Gardiner ^Thomat Langton, and
^ohn Wtlcoxe, or any three or more of them,
("whereof the Mafterand the chiefc Warden to
be one) to deale for the generality touching aa
advancement of price upon retayle of wines,
fupprelTing the Coopers, a generall pardon,
and divers other benefits to bee granted by his
Majeflie to the retayling Uintners ; But the
Committee was rvot to conclude any thing thcr-
in without the confent of the generality of re-
taylers, as by the order made that day at Vint-
ncrs hall may appeare.
The Committee proceeded therin according-
ly by and with the advife,conrent,and direction
of the generality from time to time,as appearcs
by their owne orders at Vintners Hall, which
arc here faithfully fet downe, as they were truly
tranfcribed, and compared with their b<^oke of
orders there.
The orders are in thefe words..
Thffewerc 'i^i'Bie Novemb 1637. Alderman Mr.'
Kinafiorty Mafterit/fre,M[aftcr Courtntan,
befidcyhe WardenSjMafter^fipjier, matterMatter,
genera ity, ^ Matter.Matter Sonomyy Ma-
^z^ Kingy matter vaz&cx Leechland>^
inzQizxliamondy m2i&.zxGrtjfith, matter Uulbert,
A scnerall Field^ matter Gardiner.
eowt. At this Cou^tallthe Vintners and others Re-
taylers of 'm London, Wejlminfiery and the
parts thereunto adjoyning were warned to meet
together.
Cs)
eogethcr at the Vintners Hall in , the
greater number whereof there appeared, and
upon report made to them by the Committees
formerly chofen by them what was demanded
for his Majefty. It was aflfented unto by the ge-
nerality, that the Committees might yccid to
forty fhill ings upon a tun, provided that they
might be alTured to have from his M^ejly the
immunkies & benefits propofcd,the which their
aflents was (hewed and cxprelTed by holding up
of their hands , and they to report their pro-
ceedings to the Court/rom time to time.
The immunities and benefits were then put
into writing by the Clarke of Vintners Hall,,
and were comprehended in eleven heads or Ar-
tides, and intituled : The handle defires efthe
Retailers of rvincs, and are indeed the very pro-
jed itfelfe, the fub fiance of them folio weth.
T hat all merchants of London fhall bee in-
joyncd to fel their wines to none but Retayling
Vintners.
2. That no Retaylers or Buyers of wine in
anyplace of the Realme, be permitted to buy
any wines unlefTc they pay the 40.S. a tun.
3 . That all coopers be rcflrayned from buy-
ing or felling wines.
4. That dl free Vintners may dreffc and fell
Viduals, Beare and Tobacco.
y. That the Company may have repayment
of ^00.1, formerly lent to his Majefty .
6. That the granting Liccnfes in and about
Ljondon, bee rcftrayncd , and that the free
A3 ^ Vintners
<«)"
VinfnefS may draw wines in the foure princi-
pall roads, and in all Cities and market Towns,
7. That ail free Vintners and retailers may
have generall and free pardon.
8. That all Retailers in London may be free of
the Vintners Company.
p. & I o. That they may have licenfe to fell at
i.d.and a.d. a quart above the fet prices.
II. That the Company of Vintners may be
admitted to farme the40.s. a tun.
Whereby, and by thcfaid order of the 22. of
November^ itappeares that the demand of liber-
ty toraifei.d. 2.d. a quart, and theofFer4o.s.
a tun proceeded originally from the generality
of the Vintners, and as it was their voluntary
offer andprojedjfo every Article of their dcfires
IS for the benefit of each drawing Vintner, the
Clarke of the Company put the laid Articles in-
to writing in the common hall, as the feverall
drawing Vintners directed and dictated to him.
The next meeting at Vintners Hall was on
- the27. of Novembery 1^57. the order thus.
Novem;i6^'].Beg;Car:i^,William Abel
Alderman mafter.mafter iV/iJre,inafter Conrmany
Wardens,maftcrfr/7/S»,raafter Borvyer ^ mafter
SharVy n\.2dkexBludtvorth,m2S)iexBonamyy mafter
King, xaz^^x Robert Lee y xxxaSk-Cx Griffith y mafter
Jiulberty mafter Baityy mafter Gardiner,
At this court upon relation made by our ma-
fter of the paffage of the bufines referred to him
and other Committees touching the payment
of 40.S, {hillings on a tun to his Majefty for
Wines
wines retailed, and upon reading of the Petl-
tion prepared to bee delivered to his Majcfty
■with the feverall reafons thereto annexed; It is
ordered that the mafter, together with the for-
met Committees appointed by the court fliall
proceed in that bufines as they lhall from time
to time find expedient, acquainting this court
with theirproccedings.
By thefe orders it is manifeft, that this Pro-
je<ft wasthe worke of the gencrall company of
drawing Vintners, for they chofe the Com-
iTiittee, they take account of the Comraitteejand
they order and diredt the Committee to pro-
ceed, acquainting them with their proceedings.
Inall which Alderman Abel was but one of the
Committee chofen andimployed by his com-
pany for their publikc fervice^ and neither hec
nor any particular man, but the drawing Vint*
nershad, or could have any private intcreft or
end.
The next order was the fcvcnth of Feb: in
thefe words,
Seftmbdie Februan], i6l'],'S.eg:Qar:\i,
Mafter Abel Alderman Majler ^ maSkct
mafter More^ mafter Wardens, the :
mafter Wilfiriy mafter Hutchmfon^ mafter Bcvpyer^ bcfides the
mafter J^avies^ mafter RebertSharv, mafter Blud-
mrth^ mafter Bonumy, mafter King^ mafter Dor-
ling, mafter Comadus, mafter Griffith j mafter
Hulberty mafter Field, mafter Ajhrnll^ mafter
Sjrdim*
m
This day all the Retaylers of wines inhabit
tants within the Citie of London, and adjacent
places being warned to appeare at this court,thc
greatcrnumbcr of them appeared; To whom
the mafter related what had beene further
propounded in that bufines now in agitation
with his Majefty , and amongft-other things,
that his Majeftie waspleafed to accept of forty
(hillings a tun for wines retayled, and lilcewife
for the farme thereof 30000.I. a yeare,but his
Majeftie would not contra«5: with the whole
generality, but with fome -particular men of
ability, to whom his Majefty may refort for the
performance of that which lliall be contraded
for, and thereupon the faid mafter propounded
to the generality.
Firft, whether they did hold and confirme
their former rcfolution to pay forty (hillings a
tun for all wines to be retayled, and
Secondly, whether they would accept of the
Farme thereof at 30000.1. a yeare : To both
which propofttions with an unanimous confent,
they agreed and declaredtheirconfents, by hoi-
ding up their hands.
And likcwife it was alfo confidered for fur-
therance of the proceeding in the faid bufincs,
that ten perfonsfhould be named , whofliould
contrad with his majefty in fuch manner as
learned Councell (hould advife , and for that
purpofc the generality did nominate WtUim
Alderman, Rorvl^ Wilfin ^ ihomnt Hut'
fhtnjon, Wtflim E{(\\\\K%^RobertShaw,
Edward
Cp)
E Jwitrd Kjmfion, Rulph More, ^acoh Banamj,
Ce9rgeHnlbert^{q}ji\ic^ and Michael Gardiner Ci-
tizcnsand Vintners of London-^ with this, that
if any of thcfaidten fliouldrcfofe to take upon
him to be one of the faid Contradors^that then
anotherihouldbechofeninhisftced, and thofc
ten to contrad with his Majcfty, and to ftand
engaged for payment of the farme rent-at the
times,and in the manner to be agreed upon, and
it was thought neceffary and agreed, that the
faid ten ihould take unto them fo many as fhould
makeup thirty, who fhouldundcr-write , and
bring in every man looo.l.or fo much thereof
as fhould bee thought expedient from time to
timetodisburfcj, and that every of them fhould
ratably according to their fummcs disburfed
receive profit, if thebifines proved profitable,
and likewifc to bearc their proportionable
fhares of charges and loffe, if the bufincs fhall
not happen to produce profit, but loffe.
By this order it is to be obfcrved, firfb that as
this projed had his birth at Vintners Halt, being
there contrived by the generality of drawing
Vintners, fo it was flill profecuted by the gene-
rality, for the greateft number of themappca-
red at this Court.*^
Secondly, That the generality confirmed if
with a unanimous confcnt, not one contradi-
^ng it.
Thirdly, That for furtherance of thebii-
fines the generality nominated Alderman
^r/thenMaftcr, and nine more Uintners, who
B fliould
K ■ i i. .,.^1
A { flioulJ contract with his Majefty on the compa^
Cc nies behalfe , bccaufe his Majefty would not
contrad with the generality.
Which flievveswith what cheerfulneffeand
earneft defire they profecutcd the cffeding of
the proje(ft 5 and this convinceth thofe that pre-
tend that the Uintners were perfwaded, or
threatnpd by Alderman Ahl^ or mafter Kilvert^
the Alderman did not, nor needed to pcrfwade
them, for they nominated and ingaged him, and
mafter Kitven had not beenc at their Hall, un-
till lon^ after they had concluded on, and peti-
tioned tor their projed. And had not this and
nine other orders of their Hall clearly manife-
fted with what earneft defires, and unanimous
affents they contrived and profecutcd it, they
would have out-faced all truth. But againft
their owne orders what can be replyed ?
And none doe teftifieany words of perfwa-
fion or threatSjbut thofe that are parties and de-
linquents in the higheft degree.
1. Parties to the originall contriving the
Projcd.
2. Parties to the Indenture of creation of
the projed, and
3^. Parties that tooke benefit by the projed,
fo they all fpeake in excufe of themfclves.
At another generall court,
andacourt of Afliftancehcld 29 oiMarch^ie^Z^
they all ratified and confirmed their affents for-
merly given to the laid projcd, not any one
gaine-fayingic»
On
(ll)
On the nineteenth of May, 1538. they appoin-
ted who fliould feale the quadupartite Inden-
ture (which is the deed ot creation of the pro-
jedj the order is in thefe words.
ip. 1638. Keg.'Car.-14.. WiHiam AbelAl-
derman^ Majler, mafter Kinafion Warden,mafter ihe Aflliiann
Wilfw, mafter Robert Shaxv^mQ&ti Bludmrthymz- Fcr«ntti»«t
fter Boramy, mafter Darling, mafter Leecbland,
m3il\cvCmraduf,ma^QrCrifftth, mafter Hulberty
mafter Ajhrveil, mafter Gardiner,
At this court the names of fuch as are ap-
pointed to feale to the Indenture, betweene his
Majeft/jthe French and Spaniih merchants,and
the Corporation of the Vintners were hereap-
pointed and declared, viz.
William Abel Alderm:
Edward Kinajlon.
Ralph More,
Robert Shaw,
laceb Bonamy.
Ralph King
George Ge^eU.
Henry Barnes,
Cor dwell fJ amend*
George Shaw,
George Hulbert.
Anthony Baity,
^ohn Birch,
Francis Ajhwell,
MichaelGardiner,
Mathew Forjler,
^ohn Gregory,
William Hancock,
William Kempjler,
Thomas Simcots,
Thomas Dudley,
George Stanley,
^ohn Wilcox,
Marke Utile (ley,
William Bellamy,
Ralph Hutchinfon,
^ofeph Rogers,
B z
All
{
All thefe Cexceptthe Aldcrmanthen
a re dra wing Uin tilers, whereby it appearesby
whom, and for whofcends this projedl was fet
on foot, and profecuted.
25. MAy 1538. The fcverall perfons here tin-
dernamed brought and paid at Utntncrshali
the fcverall fummes here under mentioned, as
Farmers and Adventurers or Sharers, and the
perfons and fummes are cntrcd in the hall bookc
thus.
Aldctiioo.l.
Ralph King, lOO
Thomas Vudlty, 100
George Stanley forp
himfelfe and ]Vil-> 100
liam Iham. j
MarkeHillejley. 100
Thomas Simcots. 100
John Wilcoxe, 100
William Cenradus, 100
William Leechland, lOO
Qz^-Mathew Forjler, 100
John Gregory. 100
George Bulvert,
^acohRononsy,
Thomas Darling,
Jofeph Rogers,
William Dickens,
Cordvaell JJamond
Edward Darling,
100
100
100
100
J 00
TOO
100
Thomas Gonghe.O^Q.i
Ralph More, 100
Robert Lee, 100
Edward Kinajlon, 100
Rowland Wilfon. 100
Mich: Gar diner, 100
Ralph Hmchinfon, 100
M. And:C6urtman,\oo
Mat hew Terry, 100
M. Robert Shaw. 100
yi,Rich:Davk, 100
Fran: ^jhwcd, 100
Hen: Crone. 100
Ca; Hen: Sanders,
Chrijl: Metralfe, jo
CzyXangbam,
lAx.Henry Lee,
Mr. Wid: Btryer
Tor himfelfe ^
& mafler Tho-
\mas Hmchinfon,
100
100
100
Note
Os)
Note the faid fummes were not brought or
paid to Alderman Abel^ but at Vintners Hall,
whereby it ftillfliewesthis to be thcworkeof
the Company.
Aftcrall this, at tjvo feverall aflcmblies of
the Company in their Hall it was ordered, that '
thefealeof the Company Ihould beputtotlic
faidlndentureof creationof thcProjed:,
The orders follow inthefc words,
16. William Abely Alderraan.A/4-
fier, vrnfiti Kinajlony maftcrik/<7re, mafter Ceurt-
man Wardens, mafter Wilfon^ mafter Bewyer y
mafter D4X'^, mafter mafter mafter this day.
Bludrvorth,mz.^ti mafter mafter
Hamond, mafter Cohradm, mafter Griffith, mafter
Bailyy mafter Ajhwell, mafter Gardiner.
Whereas forthcfetlingof theFarmeof for-
ty fliillings to be paid to his Majefty upon every
tun of wine to bee imported, and fold in this
Kingdome, there are Indentures quadrupartite
to be pafled betwcene the Kings moft excellent
Majeity on the firftpartj the Corporation of
Vintners on the fecond, the Company of
French merchants on the third, and the Spanifh
merchants on the fourth part, which arc to bee
fealed on the companies behalfe, with the
common feale of this company, which is to be
performed at the Kings Atturnies chamber. It
is ordered that the common feale (hall be taken
forth and delivered to our MaJlcryZnd he to caufc
the fame to be put to the faid Indentures, and to
returne the fame feale to bee fafcly kept in the
trcafury. B 5 Stcundo-
(h)
S-eeundo die i^uguft, i6^2.Reg:Car:i/{,
T*cfe were Maftcr Hart Majle/^m^ficv Griffith jixiz.^ct
ATW/rr C^/if/, Wardens, M. Alderman/^W,
fidestiie ge'. Mt.Wilfon^voiZ^iQi VavIs^x, RobtTtShm,v{\zSitt
ncraiity. Kinaflm, maftcr bludmrth, mafter Bommj^cm-
fter King^mafter Durling^mdSicx LeechlMd^md.-
{ker Robert Lee, mafter Courtmm^ mafter Conr*-
dus, mafter George Shaw^ mafter Gardiner^ mafter
Hulbert^ mafter Birch^ mafter Former,
3 gencrail The generality here afTcmbled gave confcnC
CQuri. that mafter Alderman ^bel fhould have the
companies common feale delivered unto him,
and that hec fliould therewith feale the compa-
nies part of the quadrupartite Indenture made
with his Majcfty and others, and when that is
done to returne the fame to be fafcly kept in the
Treafury, together with the companies part of
thcfaid Indenture. And accordingly the feale
was fent by mafter Hart, then mafter of the
company, to Alderman Abels houfe by the
hands of their Beadle 5 and mafter Griffith the
Warden carried it to mafter Atturnies, and fea-
led the Indenture with it, the Alderman being
then out of towne.
What can be more plaine, then that this was ■
the worke of the whole Company.
The Companies part of the Indenture muft
6c kept with their common feale in their Trea-
fury
6y)
fury, for fo was it appointed by this laft order
ot the Generall Court.
The Projed was contrived by the generality
at a generall Court,as by the order of the 22. of
Hovemb: It was confirmed by the generality
with unanimous conient, not one contradiding
it at a generall Court, j.Fcb: 1637. and then the
generality nominated and appointed ten of
their company to contrad with liisMajeftyon
behalfe of the whole company.
All this was before mafter
or fate amongft them at their hall.
And their common feale was ordered to bee
put to the Indenture of creation of theprojed
at a generall court, when Alderman Aklssrzs
not Majler,
So all the materiall and principall paffagcs of
theaeation of this projed wcreaded in theic
hall at generall courts , and by the generar
hty.
And it cannot be denieda greater number of
drawing Uintners appeared at thofe generall
courts, then hath beeneknowne at any court of
former times.
Andas kappeares by the orders of thofe gc-
nerall courts, that Alderman Ahl was ingagcd
in the bufines by the generality (as he was Mafier
of their company) fo it appeares alfo by the
fame orders, that neither he, nor any others
werefingle adors of anything in the creation
or contriyemcnt of the projed.
And.
U6)
And it appcares not, nor can be proved that
maftcr Kilvm was ever prefent at, or privy to
any of the Vintners coniultations in the contri-
ving this projet^t. But on the contrary it is fairly
acknowledged by many of the principal Uint-
ners (as the truth isj that hee was not at their
Hall, nor came amongft them,till their Petition
aid defiresannexed were preferred and granted,
which dciires are in truth the very projed it
felfe.
And fo much for the contrivctnent, and crea-
tionof this projed out of the Vintners ownc
orders.
For the Sxecution*
The generality of the company nominated
tenconilra^ors with his Majefty fortheFarme,
who were to ftand ingaged for the Kings rent,
ashy the faid order of the feventh oiFebruary^
1^37- , .
And thofe ten were appointed by a fubfe-
quent order to take to them 27. more to make
up the number of Farmers and Adventurers
thirty fevcn, (the rent for the forty {hillings a
tun, and wine Licenfcs being 37000. pound a
yea re.)
And as the gcnerall company namedandap-
pointed the Farmers, fo the Farmers and Ad-
venturers afterwards nominated Alderman
M// their Treafurcr, and in rcfped of their
charge of a fpacious houfe for fcvcrall officers
and
ri7)
and mlnifters, the hazard and fronble of receipt
and payment of the Kings rent, negledof his
ownc affaires, and daily attendance on that bu-
fines, they allowed him 500.I. a yeare, and to
George G> tfftth another of the ten Farmers 200.I.
a yeare tor attending the bufincs at Counccll
Board, and elfcwhere.
And whereas fome Vintners that hadtakea
i.d. and z.d. a quart, and fealed bonds for the
forty (hillings a tun would not pay theirdebts
upon thofe bonds, after long forbearance thefc
bonds were put in fuite, and they that flood out
were extended at lafl; But this was done by
the joynt dirc<5lion of the Farmers, who were
themfclvesthreatned with extents for the Kings
Rent, and the Alderman never aded anything
alone and of himfclfe in the execution of the
whole bufines, nor did he, or any other Far-
mcr or Adventurer (hare one penny by the
Farme, but on the contrary are indebted and in-
gaged above 7000. 1. -Mdfler Kihert medled
little in the execution; But when the Merchants
petitioned the Lords of the, Councell againft
the Vintners ^ for not taking of their Medium
wines, according tocontradl, then MaftcrA'//-
wrrfolicited & attended their Lordfhips for, &
on bchalfe of the Vintners. And at laft when
the Medium feemed grievous to the Vintners,
mafteri<f//i/frf thentookea lourney to Barvvick'
for them, and there obtained order and direction
from his Majefty tothe Lords to eafc and'dif^
charge the Vintners of the Medium for the
C future
(iSj
ftihire \ which was done accordingly^
It is true that the Vintners gave to mafter
KilvertioooA. and it was given in this man-
ner.
Three of the chicfe Vintners by diredion, and
in the name of the whole company voluntarily
and freely, and without any motion of his,pro-
Hiifed him 1000.1. in 1637.
After that free offer, Kilvert [pent above two
yeares time inthefervice of the Company in all
their affaires, and above joo.l. in money, and
loft above 1000.1. more by neglecting his own,
and following their occafions.
In^am^y 1^38. they fent him 5 00.1.
In ^muary 16^9, they fent him the other
500.1. two yeares after it was promifcd.
And it is true that his Majefty granted Kilveri
apenfionot 5001. a yeare for eight years out of
hisMajeftiesfaid rentof 30000.I.
This was granted him in recompence of
a 000.1. debt d^ue from his Majefty to Kihert
forafcrvice done to King by command
of the high Court of Parliament, and his Ma-
jcftie granted him this penfion in Novemb: 1638'.
a ycare after theproje^. The 2000.1. had bcene
owing to him eighteene yeares before.
Mafter Kilvert was not any of the Contri-
vers of this project J that wastjie foleworke of
the Vintners^.
Hee '
it9j
He Is no Patentee, nor ever brought Ia july
money to fet theproje^ on foot.
For the Medium,
It was firft occafioned by the drawing Vint*
ncrSjforln thefiift Article of their proje<t,the)ifc
demanded that all Merchants may bcinjoyned
- to fell their wines to none but the retayling
Vintners.
The Meuf hants oppofedit, and (hewed that
in cafe they ihouldbe tyed up from felfing their
wines to aay but Vintners, it would be their un-
doing, and the overthrow of their trades, un-
Icflc the Vintners would oblige themfclves to
take off their wines at the prices let by the
Lords, for otherwife the Uintners would beatc
downe the Merchants prices, and leave their
wines on their hands.
Whereupon after (cverall debates, touching
that particular betweene the Merchants and
Uintners, it was at a general! Court held at,
Uintners hall the 21, of Mareh^ 1637. agreed
and confentcd to by the generality of Retailers:
That they would ycarcly take from the mer-
chants at the fet prices, fuch a quantity of wine
as was by them yearcly imported according to
a medium J to be taken ofdieir laftfcvcnyeares
importation.
And at another general! Court, the ig of the
■fame Mareh, they againe confentcd to take off
the merchants wines, as by the order following
appearcs. C % 29*
(20}
ip.
WiUim Ahel Alderman Mafter^ mafter Kym-
fton, mafter More, mafter CourtmAn Wardens^ ma-
Thefe were fter Wdftn^^z.^tr HmchinftonyXmSiti Borvyer^ ma-
befi^effhT"D^v/a, mafter Robert Shaw ^ mafter Blud^
generdity! worth^ mafter King^ m3SS.tt.Clegate^ mafter D^r-
ling^ mafter Hamond^ mafter Conradus, mafter
Crtffith^ mafter George Shaw, mafter Hdbert^ ma-
fter Field^ mafter Baily^ mafter A^well.
AgcHcrall This day upon a gcnerall fummons of all
Court. retailers of wines given by the 0%crs of the
Hall for their appearance here, a very ample
number of them came, to whom tht Mafter z~
gaine declared what had paflcd betwixt him-
fclfe and forae other committees of this Com-
pany, and the French and Spanijh Marchants
touching the Medium of winesby them rcqui-
redtobee taken off, and the againe pro-
pounded to the faid retailers whether they were
willing for accommodation of thofe Englijh
Marchants to take their wines being good and
marchantable, as in former times, in fuch a mo-
derate way as is lately propounded, and hereaf-
ter to bee agreed upon, not exceeding the Me-
dium^ No warrcs,ad of State, contagion,great
ficknes, or mortality hindering the vent of
wines. To which they declared and fignified
their confcnts, as alfo that the farme of 40.
ftiillings a Tunne, fliall bee accepted at tlie rent
, of 30000,1. per amm^ and the granting of Li-
cenccs
(ai)
ceftces for Tavernes at yoooi^ per *mum»
And the next Court day being the ig.oiMay
153 8. the C ompany appointed a ccrtainc num-
ber of retailing Vintners to feale the quadru-
partite indenture on behalfeofthe whole com-
pany, which indenture was feverall times open-
ly read and ratified in their Hall at gencrall
meetings, and in that indenture the Vintners
covenant exprefly to take off from the mar-
chants 4000. tunne SpaniJIi, and 5000. tunne
French wines*, (being the agreed on by
the marchants and Vintners) and in confidera-
tion thereof the marchants covenanted and ob-
liged themfclves to fell to no coopers, nor
country Vintners.
Thus was the Medium begot by London
Vintners and for their benefit, who by this
meanes monopolized the retailing of wines
both in city and country, and were the fole Au-
thors of the Medium-, and afterwards to make
fureworke, they got an order from the Coun-
cell-board that thofe Marchants that fhould
breake their contraft by felling wines to coo-
pers or country Vintners fhouldnot have their,
wines taken off,
The Vintners having thus tied up the Mar-
chants from felling to any but them, would not
take off their wines, as by contra^ they were
bound, but furnifhed themfelves from Stran-
gers, and left thofe native Marchants wines on
their hands to their great loffe andalmoftun-
doing.
C 3 There^/
("22;
Thereupon, thofe Marchants were driven
to petition the Lords of thccounfell, and to let
forth the unfaithfull and fraudulent dealing
the Vintners, and Upon feverall hearings of
what could bee faid on both fides, their Lord-
ihips ordered the Vintners to take off from
thofe Marchants who bad beene io much
wronged a fmall quantity, farrc fhort of that
which the Vintners by their owne contra(i^
were bound to take, and were wines which a
fe'lcd committee of Vintners {^MichaelGardiner
' being one) had chofen and marked out for good
and marchantabic wines.
True it is, in regard of the great quantity of
wines imported that ycare,thc VintBcrs might
"have bought thofe wines fomewhat cheaper,
but they retailed thcmall at the higheft prices,
and loft not, but gained by them,and in cafe a-
ny one peece of thofe wines failed on theijc
hands, it was through the Vintners ov/ncwil-
fulncffe, in that they would not husband them,
rack them from their lees, and take them from
the Marchants in due time as by their contract
they were bound and ought to have done.
In the great and numerous company of Vint-
ncrs, there arcabout40. whereof forae would
not pay the Marchant for their Meditm wines,
others would not pay the 40. fliillingsaton
to the King, and fome of the refufers to pay for
their Medium wines were upon complaint of the
Marchants, owners ofthofc wines eommirted
to the Fleet by the Lords-,and others that would
not
(iS)
flot pay the 40. {hillings a tun, after long for-
bearance, werefued.
Thele 40 being indebted tohisMajcfty, in
great fummes for the 40. fhillings a tun, pcti-
tioned the honourable Houfe ot Commons a-
gainft Mdcxmzn Akl^ Ralph More^ and the reft
of the Farmers^ and by their petition they fct
forth, that they were compelled to take Medium
wines to their lolTe, and inforced to pay 40^
{hillings a tun upon all wines, both which are
untrue, for they had voluntarily obliged them-
felves by their faidcontrad to perforrae both,
upon more then valuable confiderations as is
before declared, and upon thofe and the like
falfe pretence, that they oppofed the projed,
they would exempt themfelves from making
rcftitution to the Common-wealth of the great
fummcs which they have gained by the pro-
Jed.
To thefe its anfwcred, that they amongft
the reft were prefent at the contriving of, and
gave their confcnts to the projed at Vint-
ners hall, and againc, they adually confcnted
to it,by taking the penny and 2 .pence a quart,&
injoycd all other the benefits and advantages
of it. Nay* Quartcrman, Mafon, and Bellamy
have by colour thereof taken 3 . pence a quart
which is 12. La tunne above the fet prices oiiji
Malligocs and Sherries, as was proved before
the Committee, and divers of the reft have
done the like as is verified by feverall affida-
vits.
Theft
(h)
Thefe men have the confciences to take on
allwines 4.1, on feme 8.1. on others i2J.a
tunnc above the fet prices (.although inthefet
prices ther's included a competent gaine to
them) and to exad all other the advantages by
by the contradt, but they will not pay the King
40. fhillings a tun, nor take off the Marchancs
wines, as other Vintners did, and as they by
their contract were bound to doe.
Thefe will enjoy all profitcs, but will endure
noloffe.
Are not thefe men more inexcufably to
blame, then the reft of the V intners, that taking
the I. penny & 2 .pence a quart paid the 40. fhil-
lings to the King, and performed their contradt
with the Marchants. For the end of thefe mens
complaint in Parliament was to free themfelves
from payment of the 40. fhillings atunne to
the King, on thofe wines for which they had
taken from the Subject4.1.8.1. and 12.1. a tun
above the fet prices.
Its alleadged by drawing Vintners gene-
rally that they have gotten nothing by rerailc
oiFrench wines thefe two laft years, in regard
that the Marchants have fold thofe wines fo
dearcingrofle.
It is anfwercd that although of late, to wit,
fince the beginning of the laft vintage,the beft
wines have beenc dcare, yet formerly it
was nor fo, and thtchespneffc of Spam fhmncs
hath rccompenccd the dearth ofthc French.
And what can bee faid cither for thofe 40. or
for*^
(a5)
for any other "Uintncrs that for the fullfpaceof
three years and a halfc lafl: paft, have taken fourc
pounds and eight pounds, nay on Maligacs
and Sherries 12.1. a tun above the fet prices,
f which all have done but only fourc) why they
fliould not reftore what they have fo unlawfully
taken, or at leaft pay the forty (hillings a tun hi-
thcrto, for none of the Vintners.have cither
paid or fecurcd one penny of the 40.3.3 tun fincc
mid-fummerlaft was 12. moneths, albeit they
have all taken to this day the penny and two
pence a quart.
The Vintners furtheralleadgc thatapennya
quartcomesbutto j.l.atun, which is not true,
for it amounts to 41.4.S. a tun, atunbcing252.
£a lions.
But then they pretend that the velTcls are not
full gage. It is anfvvcred, that for thofe wines
that arc under gage they are fuchfrnallwincSas
the Vintners buy at unacr rates, fomc 4.1, fomc
>6,1. a tun.
The dearer and better fort which arc Gaf-
coignc wines arc all full gage, and over gage as
was teftified before the Committee by fcverall
Merchants of judgement and worth.
The truth is, that the Vinraers having recei-
vcd a double benefit by this their Projedl, to wit
pardon for their fore-pad delinquencies, and in-
creafeof pricconall their wines, would cfcapc
the jufticc of the high Court of Parliament,and
prevent both punlfliment and reftitution by in-
forming twogroflc untruths,
D Firft
FirfJjthat the merchants have had thegreatcft
part of the profit of the penny and 2.d. a quart,
by felling their wines in grofle above the prices •
fetby the Lords, which is moft untrue 5 for on
the contrary the Vintners generally have beaten
downethe merchants prices, and under-bought
the fee prices fas was teftifiedat the Committee)
above thirty thoufand pounds, within thefc
three yearcs; to the undoing of the native mcr-
chants.
Secondly, that by reafonof the payment of
the forty (hillings a tun there's no profit, but
rather lofTe to the London Vintners by their
Countrey trade,
Jhisalfo is untrue, for they fell to countrey
Vintners for the moft part fuch wines as they
buy at the loweft rates, fome 6.1.fome, eight
pounds a tun under the prices fct by the Lords.
And they fend their maligoes and Sherries
generally into the Countrey , which they fell
and retayle there for Canaries three pence a
quart, which is twelve pounds a tun above the
rctayling price fct by the Lords.
And by the merchants and Vintners prices
hereaftermentiorcd it appcarcs whatcxcclfivc
gainc the Vintners make.
The merchants price for malligo and (herry
was fct in Dccetu^: 163 7. at thirty tourc poui^is
a tun.
The Vintners retayle thofc wines at fourteen
pence a quart, which amounts to fiftic fixe
pounds the tun^ and is two and twenty pound
pro£t
profit, and they buy thofe wines forthemoft
part at ftU and 8.1. a tun under the fet price.
So they gaine twenty eight pounds and thirty
a tun in retaile of thoie wines. Canary was fee
at 3S. J oands a tun, which they fell generally at
fourtecne pence the quart, and is eightccnc
pounds a tun clcare and conftant gaine,and they
buy for fixe pound a tun under the let price,
and forac fell at fixteene pence a quart. which is
eight pound a tun more, which make their gaine
thirty two pounds a tun.
But they will fay, that fomc maligaes and all
Canaries want fomewhat of full gage.
If three pounds a tun bee allowed for that
defedt, it is manifeft that their gaine is excclfive
and unconfcionable, and that the Vintners fold
their maligo and (berry at fouiteene pence, and
Canary at cighteenc pence a quart,was proved
at the Committee, and is verified by Icvcrall
Affidavits.
French wines Gafcoignc were fet at
tun, and other fmallcr wines at id.i. and the
rctayling pfite for all being y.d.aquartis 28.
pounds a tun , which is 9.I. a tan gamed on the
bcft,ar.d 12.I. on the fmaller, and the two firft
ycarcsbeing i63S.and39. tl^yboughtmoft of
their French wines at S.1. a tun urxter the fet
price.
So they gained by fomc of their French
wines 20.1. a tun,and onall 17.1.
And which is worft of all they adulterate, and
falfific their wines with un wholfom mixtures,as
raifins,,
r»8)
raXins, rotten figs, bilberries, black-bcrries ^
floes, bay fait, allomc, Izinglafle, dcalc law-
doft, Cyprus woodylymc-water,and fugar,{ider,
milke,ftoome, and other unwholfomeingredi-
ents, all which is already proved by fcverall
A ffidavits ready to be produced, and thefe falfi-
ficd wines they fell to thecountrey Uintners.
By all which it is manifeft that the Nobility
and Gentry are greatly deceived and abufed
both in the price and condition of their wines,
oftentimes to the indangcring of their lives.
Some few of the honcftcr and better fort make
a confcicncc and will not ufc thofe unwhole-
fomemixturcs.
Bat they may all praftice it without con-
troulc, for they have obtained faculty to Icarch
the cellers of merchants, coopers, and others,
but none have Commilfion to icarch theirs.
Aad they continue their exadions of the pen-
ny and two pence a quart to this day in manifeft
contempt of the orders of the honourable houfe
of Commons.
Howfarre it will pleaje the high and mojl honour able
Court of Parliament in thu fi happj andgeneraU
Reformation, to take the/aid exaffions and ahujes
of the Vintners into confederation ; Is mofi humbly
• fdmittedto their great wifedomes,
FINIS.
liji'