ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 439 



They have full power and authority to frame, conftitute, or- 

 dain, make, and eftablim, from time to time, fuch laws, ftatutes, 

 ordinances, and conftitutions, as mall appear to them, or the 

 greater part of them, the mayor always to be one, good, profi- 

 table, wholefome, honeft, and neceffary, for the good govern- 

 ment of the town. 



They may purchafe manours, melTuages, lands, tenements, 

 rec~bories, tithes, rents, reverilons, fervices, and other poiTefllons, 

 and hereditaments whatfoever, which are not held immediately 

 of the crown, provided that the fame do not exceed the clear 

 annual value of 60 /. per annum, the ftatute of laws and tene- 

 ments not to be given in mortmain, or any other act, ordinance, 

 provifo, or reftraint thereof had, made, decreed, or provided to 

 the contrary notwithftanding. 



They are exonerated or quit for cvercf all Toll, Pontage,Paffage t 

 Murage, Pannage, Cranage, LaJJage, Cartage, Kaigge, Vinagc, Achate, 

 and Recbate, through his Majefty's dominions, with Seek, and Sack, 

 and Toll, and Theam, Ward and Ward-Penny, and all other cuftoms 

 to be performed of their own proper goods and merchandife, 

 alfo of all payment of fubfidies, taxes, impofitions, tenths, fif- 

 tenths, and exactions whatfoever ; alfo of Prifage of Wines, Butle- 

 rage of Wines', and of all other impofitions, called the imports, 

 Butlerage and Prifage of Wines, for any wines carried, unloaden, 

 or put to land within their own poi't of JBeriuick, or in any other 

 of the members or creeks of it. 



The corporation have a power to impofe a reafonable tax or tal- 

 lage upon the rents and other things of the inhabitants, without 

 molcilation or hindrance from the king's officers, provided they 



apply it only to the chamber's ufe. 



They 



