36 THE ADVENTURES 



Early in the reign of James the first, there 

 was a very angry contest between some of the 

 Citizens of Chester, and others representing the 

 rights of the Dee Mills, and the weir's at Chester 

 and Eaton, as well as an obstruction at Holt 

 Bridge. A commission called the "Commission 

 of Sewers," held sittings at Chester, Holt, Flint, 

 and Wrexham, respecting the legality of these 

 obstructions, and the damage they did to the 

 river, and consequently to the commerce of the 

 neighbourhood. The proceedings of this com- 

 mission were characterized by a very violent 

 partial spirit of self-interest, and became divided 

 into two parties, the one side headed by the 

 Gamulls, who owned the Dee Mills, and had 

 attempted to coerce the citizens into grinding all 

 their corn at these mills, and the other by Sir I. 

 Trevor and a party in Wales, who were said to 

 be influenced by their holding mills on the 

 Flintshire shore, to desire the destruction of 

 those at Chester. A protest addressed to the 

 Lord Treasurer, shews that this latter party 

 proceeded so violently and unconstitutionally, 

 that fears were entertained of a popular tumult 

 and collision between the people and the Welsh, 

 which might lead to fatal consequences, and 

 renew animosities of ancient date.* 



* Harleian MSS. 



