EVIL OF PATENTS. CCCvii 



their business without satisfying the rapacity of the paten 

 tees, had been severely punished by vexatious prosecutions, 

 fine, and imprisonment. The outcries of the subject were 

 incessant. Monopolies and briberies were beaten upon 

 the anvil every day, almost every hour.&quot; (a) The complaints 

 were so numerous that not less than eighty committees 

 to redress abuses in the church, in the courts of law, 



That the last for the King s benefit; only they to have three years benefit, 

 for their monies disbursed. That the proposition was 10,0002. per annum 

 to the King, out of which the pensions should have come. 



That Sir Nich. Salter and Mr. Dyke managed all the business for 

 licensing the importation of Venice gold, whereupon 6*. and 5s. Qd. taken 

 tit supra. 



&quot; That Sir Francis Michell hath had from them 1002. per annum 

 besides petty things he got from others. 



Sir Francis Michell, brought to the bar, confesseth he hath executed 

 the commission for gold and silver thread. That he had 1001. per annum 

 for the execution, which he had it given by way of annuity, for certain 

 years in certainty, for drawing the people to pay 3s. upon a pound. 



&quot; That Sir H. Yelverton confessed he committed Paske, and four others, 

 at the importunity of Sir Edw. Villyers, but yet with a letter to the Lord 

 Chancellor, that he was pressed to it by Sir Edw. Villyers, and would dis 

 charge them, if his lordship did not confirm it. That, after, the Lord 

 Chancellor, upon hearing, committed them close prisoners. 



10th March.&quot; The quality of the parties imprisoned : tradesmen. 

 Kept there five weeks. The threats : an heavier hand ; rot in prison. 



&quot; Lord Pawlett : that Mr. Twitty told him this morning, that, if a pretty 

 wench, and she would not consent to him, he would threaten her to carry 

 her to the justices, and commit her. 



&quot; Mr. Towerson : that the hindrance of importation a great hindrance to 

 the vent of cloth. 



&quot; That eleven several trades bound from use of their trades. Breaking 

 open houses ; taking away goods. 



&quot; That both the commissions directed to any two; yet Sir A. Apesley 

 and Sir Francis Michell solely have committed, yea, that Fowles himself 

 hath committed some for six days. 



: That some restrained not to work at all, some but to particular persons. 



&quot; A letter of Sir G. Mompesson, that Mr. Villyers and Sir Edw. Villyers 

 sharers.&quot; 



(a) Hacket. 



