196 TRANSACTIONS OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
erection of a lighthouse on the Eddystone. Of course, he very 
quickly found that the second lighthouse was built under powers 
conferred by an Act, but there seemed to be no trace of any 
in relation to the first. 
I accordingly wrote direct to Mr. Edwards, and asked him 
to point out the Act to which he had referred in his article. 
In reply he acknowledged that " the expression, ' Act of Parlia- 
ment,'" was "inaccurate;" and said, "It is very difficult to 
decide, owing to a great many of the records having been 
destroyed by a fire at the old Trinity House in the latter part of 
last century. But a royal grant was probably made in 1694, and 
the immediate authority for setting about the work was probably 
found in the 8th Elizabeth." 
Eor the discovery of the patent, under which the Corporation 
acted, together with a great deal more of the information 
embodied in my paper, I must acknowledge my indebtedness to 
Dr. H. H. Drake. My great difficulty throughout has been my 
own lack of opportunity for searching into original records ; and 
had it not been for the very kind assistance of this gentleman, 
Mr. J. Brent, Mr. W. H. K. Wright, and many others, I could 
not have ventured to have written this paper. 
Having obtained a transcript of this document, which was 
dated at Westminster the 22nd June, 1694, I will lay before you 
its principal provisions. 
PATENT KOLL. 
6 William and Mary. Part 5, No. 15. 
William and Mary by the grace of God etc. To all to whom 
these presents shall come Greeting. Whereas the Master Wardens 
and Assistants of the Trinity House Deptford Strond by their 
humble Petition have represented unto us that Application hath 
been made to them by the masters and owners of Shipping 
trading to all parts Westward of Plymouth as appears by those 
numerous Subscriptions already made and ready to be produced 
to erect a Light house or Beacon with a light upon the Eock 
called the Eddystone off Plymouth harbour in the County of 
Devon or Cornwall as safe direction for ships hereafter to avoid 
that dangerous Kock upon which the lives of so many of our 
good Subjects have perished, and that in consideration of the 
vast charge and hazard of such an Undertaking the said masters 
and owners do voluntarily offer and agree to pay to the said 
Master Wardens and Assistants after the same rate and proportion, 
