388 



ADVICE TO THE KING. 



king, to petition him for reward of service ; which was de 

 nied him. Whereupon it was twice in his mind to have 

 killed his majesty. The man is not yet apprehended, and 

 said by some to be mad, or half mad ; which, in my opinion, 

 is not the less dangerous ; for such men commonly do most 

 mischief; and the manner of his speaking imported no dis 

 traction. But the counsel I would out of my care ground 

 hereupon, is, that his majesty would revive the commission 

 for suits, which hath been now for these three years or 

 more laid down. For it may prevent any the like wicked 

 cogitations, which the devil may put into the mind of a 

 roarer or swaggerer upon a denial : and, besides, it will 

 free his majesty from much importunity, and save his 

 coffers also. For I am sure when I was a commissioner, in 

 three whole years space there passed scarce ten suits that 

 were allowed. And I doubt now, upon his majesty s 

 coming home from this journey, he will be much troubled 

 with petitions and suits, which maketh me think this 

 remedy more seasonable. It is not meant, that suits gene 

 rally should pass that way, but only such suits as his 

 majesty would be rid on. 



Indorsed September 21, 1617 To revive the commission 

 of suits. For the King. 



REASONS WHY THE NEW COMPANY IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED 

 AND CONTINUED WITH THE TRADE OF CLOTHES. 



FIRST, The company consists of a number of young men 

 and shopkeepers, which not being bred in the trade, are 

 fearful to meddle with any of the dear and fine clothes, but 

 only meddle with the coarse clothes, which is every man s 

 skill ; and, besides, having other trades to live upon, they 

 come in the sunshine so long as things go well, and as soon 

 as they meet with any storm or cloud, they leave trade, and 

 go back to shopkeeping. Whereas the old company were 

 beaten traders, and having no other means of living but 

 that trade, were fain to ride out all accidents and difficul 

 ties (which being men of great ability), they were well able 

 to do. 



Secondly, These young men being the major part, and 

 having a kind of dependence upon Alderman Cockaine, 

 they carry things by plurality of voices. And yet those 

 few of the old company which are amongst them do drive 

 almost three parts of the trade ; and it is impossible things 

 should go well, where one part gives the vote, and the other 



