A. D. 1562. 137 



eft but 40), and having learned that negroes were a very good commo- 

 dity in Hifpaniola, he failed to the coaft of Guinea, and took in ne- 

 groes, and failed with them for Hifpaniola, where he fold his negroes 

 and Englifh commodities, and loaded home his three velTels with hides, 

 fugar, and ginger, and alfo many pearls, returning home in the year 

 1563, and making a profperous voyage. This feems to have been the 

 very firfl attempt from England for any negro trade. 



1563 The Ruflia company did not lofe fight of their trade intoPer- 



fia by the way of Ruflia ; for in this year they fent three of their agents 

 to the Perfian court at Calhin on the bufinefs of their traffic. 



By an ordinance of this year, when the price of wheat does not ex- 

 ceed lof, rye, peafe and beans 8/", and malt 6/8 per quarter, they may 

 be exported in Englifh fliipping. This fhows that thofe prices were 

 then efteemed fo moderate, that for the benefit of farmers they might 

 be exported. Thus we fee that the rates of provifions, and confequent- 

 ly of living, are confiderably advanced fince the coins were reduced to 

 the modern weight, &c. 



The firft flutute was now enaded for the relief of the poor, [fee the 

 year 1597] ; for whereas hitherto all the ads of parliament only recom- 

 mended voluntary contributions for the poor, it was now found necef- 

 fary to go a ftep farther. It is certain that the fuppreflion of the con- 

 vents had not a little increafed this diforder ; thofe houfes having been 

 a great relief to the poor on their own lands, and in their neighbour- 

 hood, to whom not only their kitchens but their granaries were ever 

 open, more efpecially in times of dearth. When therefor the church 

 lands were fold by King Henry VIII at fuch eafy pnrchales, it was then 

 declared to be for enabling the buyers to keep up that wonted hofpita- 

 lity, which however they greatly neglecied to do : And there was no 

 compulfory law till the prefent acl, which, after direding poor and im- 

 potent perfons of every parifn to be relieved by what every perion will 

 of his charity give weekly, to be gathered by coUedors, and diftributed 

 to the poor, fo as none of them fliall openly go or fit begging ; and if 

 any parilhioner fiiall obftinately refufe to pay reafonably towards the 

 relief of the poor, or fliall difcourage others, then the juflices of the 

 peace, at their quarter-fellions, may tax him to a reafonable weekly 

 fum, which, if he refufes to pay, they may commit him to prifon : Yet, 

 where the parifiies have more poor tlian they can relieve, the jufi:ices 

 may licence fo many of their poor as they fhall think good, to beg in 

 one or more hundreds of the refpedive county. Lallly, beggars, in any 

 other place than where legally licenced, are to be punifhed according to 

 the laws againft vagabonds. [5 EUz. c. 3.] 



The next flutute of this fedion \c. 4], intitled, a repeal of fo mucli 

 of former ftatures as concern the hiring, keeping, departing, working, 

 or order of fervants, labourers, 8cc. and a declaration, who {hall be com- 



VOL. II. S 



