158 THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUXDfe. 



had no work to do, and got nothing for doing it. Truly Old 

 Rowley was a strange character. 



Reverting from the financial affairs of the pack to some 

 other events in the career of John Gary, Esq., the twelfth 

 Master of this branch of the pack, it behoves us, in the first 

 place, to record that about the time of his appointment to the 

 office of the Buckhounds he obtained a similar post to the 

 King's Harthounds, in as full and ample manner as any of his 

 predecessors in the said employment, with the usual fees 

 thereunto payable annually by the Sheriffs of Somerset and 

 Dorset. He soon after relinquished this appointment to Mr. 

 Pott (who had been Master of the Beagles to Charles, Duke 

 of York). On July 26, 1661, Mr. Gary obtained an exclusive 

 licence, or monopoly, to transport all sorts of hounds and 

 sporting dogs beyond the seas, free of duty, and without let 

 or hindrance, for the natural term of his life, as appears by the 

 subjoined patent : — 



Charles the Second by the grace of God &.'^. To all wliome these 

 psents shall come Greeting Whereas it hath been a Custome to 

 transport and carry beyond the Seas all manner of Doggs Hounds 

 Beagles and Greyhounds of severall kinds and names to the hinderance 

 of our owne store the decay of Breed and p'iudice of our Game and 

 sport of hunting. Knowe yee therefore that Wee for pVention 

 thereof of our speciall grace and favour haue given and granted and 

 by these p'sents for our heires and Successors doe give and grant 

 vnto our trusty and Wellbeloved servant John Gary Esquire Master 

 of our privy Buckhounds full and free libertie lycence and authority 

 for soe long tyme as he shall continue in that place to carry over 

 convey and transport by himselfe his deputie or deputies asignee 

 or assignes beyond the Seas out of this Realme of England and 

 Dominion of Wales such and soe many hounds Beagles or hunting 

 Doggs of what kinde or nature soever as he shall thinke fitt and 

 then to goe sell and dispose of at his pleasure. And Wee doo hereby 

 require and coinand the Comissioners of our Customes and other the 

 Officers of ovu- Customes to permitt and suffer the said John Cary 

 his Deputy or Deputies to transport the said Doggs accordingly 

 without any account custome or other dutie to be rendered or paid to 

 vs our heires or successors for the same. And our further will and 



