232 THE MAYORALTY OF TRURO. 



sidered by many to be too small, and after four years' trial, it 

 was decided in 1803, by 11 votes to 7, tliat "the allowance for 

 the Mayor's Expences during his mayoralty shall be forty 

 pounds, independent of the sums paid with passes," 



During the mayoralty of Thomas Trewolla in 1684, 

 Elizabeth's charter was surrendered to James II, and . a new 

 one was substituted for it ; but its provisions did not long 

 remain in force, and the corporation reverted to the former 

 charter. Under this new charter, Henry George was duly sworn 

 and admitted to the office of mayor. In addition to the usual 

 oath, he was required, in common with all other mayors in the 

 kingdom, to abjure the Solemn League and Covenant. 



In those days, municipal authorities were money lenders on 

 a large scale, and again and again we read of the difficulties 

 they encountered in procuring the rej)ayment of loans. The 

 case of Henry George illustrates this,* and will be best told in 

 the words of the official record: " 8 March 1687. Whereas 

 Henry George, gent. Late mayr. of Truroe Dyed Intestate and 

 Whereas the said Henry George Dyed much indebted to the said 

 Burrough, and Whereas it appeares that there is a designe that 

 the said Borough may bee by some meanes hindred from 

 Receiving their Just Due and Whereas the said Burrough have 

 contested the Administracon of the said Henry Georges goods in 

 the Court of the Archdeaconry^ of Cornwall, and Whereas they 

 have pceeded soe farr that the Judge in that Court hath decreed 

 the Administracon to one Thomas George who we thinke and 

 hath Appeared in the Court to bee an Ideot and not of sound 

 minde but vnfitt to administer the goods of the said Henry 

 George, Wherevpon there hath been an appeale entred on the 

 behalfe of the said Burrough against the said Sentence, wee 

 now being mett togeather doe order and agree that the said 

 Appeale be psecuted at the cost and charge of the said Burrough 

 And that the Mayor for the tyme being Doe laye out and expend 

 the nessary cost and charges in and about psecuteing the same, 

 If the matter cannot otherwise be composed." Apparently, the 

 Corporation found it difficult to establish their case, for thirteen 

 months later "it was agreed on that if John Mayowe, gent., 



*There is, however, nothing in the text to show that George's indebtedness had 

 its origin in loan.— [Kdd.] 



