514 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
"On Thursday the 10th of December [1584] Two Bill [sic] of 
no great moment had each of them their first reading, of which the 
first was the Bill for the preservation of Plymouth-Haven." * 
[Monday the 21st of December], "The Bill for the preservation 
of the Haven of Plymouth, was upon the second reading committed 
unto Sir Francis Drake, Mr. Wroth, Mr. Edgcombe, and others, 
who were appointed to meet the third day of the next sitting 
of this Court in Lincolns-Inn Hall in the afternoon of the same 
day.»t 
[Thursday the 18th of February]. "Five bills of no great 
moment had each of them one reading ; of which the second being 
the Bill of Plymouth-Haven was upon the second reading com- 
mitted again to the former Committees, and Mr. Grafton was 
added unto them, and the bill was delivered to Mr. Wroth, who 
with the rest was appointed to meet in the Middle-Temple Hall to 
morrow in the afternoon." | 
[Saturday the 20th of February]. "The Bill for Plymouth- 
Haven was brought in again with a Proviso. "§ 
[Tuesday the 23rd of February]. " A Proviso was added to the 
Bill for Plymouth Haven, and was twice read, and Ordered with 
the Bill to be ingrossed."|| 
[Saturday the 27th of February]. "The Bill for Preservation 
of Plymouth-Haven passed upon the Question after the third 
reading, and was presently sent up to the Lords by Mr. Treasurer 
[Sir Francis Knolles] and others. "IT t 
[The Royal assent was given Monday 29th March]. 
This fortunate discovery, to my mind clearly establishes that 
Drake was concerned with the measure simply in his public 
capacity as a member of parliament — as one of a Select Committee, 
of which Mr. Wroth, member for Middlesex, was chairman, and 
to which Mr. Edgcumbe, member for Liskeard, and Mr. Grafton, 
member for Grampound, also belonged. Sir Francis himself was 
then member for Bossiney. Had he been using private influence 
to push the bill through, he could not, as a man of honour, have 
assumed what would have been a more than questionable position. 
Further, we cannot believe that the other members of such a 
committee were mere tools in his hands. We are thus driven to 
the conclusion that the bill was dealt with on its merits, and 
that Plymouth is as much indebted to Drake's colleagues in 
committee, for their performance of a public duty, as to himself. 
* D'Ewes' Journals, p. 337, col. ii. t Ibid. p. 345, col. i. 
% Ibid. pp. 352, col. ii. ; 353, col. i. § Ibid. p. 353, col. ii. 
|| Ibid. p. 355, col. i. IF Ibid. p. 361, col. i. 
