A. D. 1353. 549 



ftaple with four of the principal inhabitants of the town. All foreign 

 merchants were now relieved from the grofs oppreflion of being made 

 liable for the debts, and even the crimes, of other foreigners *. But the 

 king referved to himfelf the right of granting letters of marque againft 

 any foreign prince or people, by whom his fubjeds fhould be injured : 

 and in cafe of a war breaking out, the merchants of the hoftile country 

 fhould have a notice of forty days, or even more if neceffary, to leave 

 the country, and perfed: freedom to fell, or carry away, their property. 

 There being lefs refort of foreign merchants to Ireland and Wales than 

 to England, the merchants of thofe countries were allowed to carry 

 their flaple goods to any ftaple in England ; and their cockets, teftify- 

 ing that they had paid the cuftoms in their own country, fhould clear 

 them, and the purchafers of their goods, from any further demand. 

 Any perfon {hipping ftaple goods in Ireland or Wales, or any part of 

 the coafl; of England, for a ftaple port in England, and carrying them 

 to a foreign port, was condemned to deatli and forfeiture of property. 

 No perfon was liable to lofe his property for any adion of his fervant 

 done without his authority. Immediate juflice was ordered to be done 

 in all matters, wherein tranfient merchants were concerned, agreeable 

 to the former ufuage of flaples. A perfon, well /killed in the merchant 

 law, was to be eleded annually for the office of mayor of each ftaple 

 by the native and foreign merchants of the place, and alfo two con- 

 ilables. The adminiftration of juftice in all matters concerning the 

 ftaple being in the hands of the mayors and conftables, particular prifons 

 were afligned to them for the confinement of offenders \ and the mayors, 

 Ihirrefs, and bailifs, of the towns, and lords of the adjacent country, 

 were enjoined to allifl: the magiftrates of the flaple on their requifition.' 

 A certain number of men of experience and refpedable charader, 

 llrangers as well as natives, were appointed in each flaple town as cor- 

 redors, to whom all perfons might apply, if they chofe it, to have their 

 bargains regiftered, agreeable to the former ufage of ftaples : and they 

 were not to be concerned in trade during their office. The mayors and 

 conftables were to make oath in the chancery, that they would faith- 

 fully difcharge the duties of their offices. All merchants, natives or 

 foreigners, trading at any of the flaples, were to fwear to the mayor and 

 conflables, that they would pay obedience to the laws of the flaple ; 

 and the porters, packers, winders and other labourers and officers in 

 the fervice of the flaple, were to fwear to do their bufinefs honeftly. 

 The foreign merchants were direded to eled two of their number, one 

 for the fouth parts of England and the other for the north, who might 

 fit along with the mayors and conflables of the flaples to judge any 

 caufe, whenever they thought proper, in order to lake care that juflice 



* Several relaxations of the rigour of this execrable law or cuflom to particular communities of fo=. 

 reigners have already been noticed. 



