SIR FRANCIS DRAKE AND THE PLYMOUTH CORPORATION, 453 
themselves with legal powers to carry out their scheme.* The 
burgesses for Plymouth were Christopher Harris, of Radford, and 
Henry Bromley; and intimation was conveyed of their being 
chosen to Drake and John Hele, then ‘‘ town counsel” (afterwards 
Recorder), who were both in London :— 
Itm paide to a man to goe to London w'h L’® to 
S' Frauncis Drake & Mr. Hele touchinge 0” 
Burgesses for the Parliamente . ‘ i oe xxi: 
This sending of special messengers on important errands in pre- 
Post Office days was a matter of frequent occurrence, and the 
occasion is often, as in this instance, specified. (There is one entry 
of the payment of 5s. for sending letters into Spain!) The 
Parliament mett on the 23rd November, 1584, and sat until 
December 21st, when it adjourned until February 4th. It was 
finally dissolved by the Queen in person in the March following. 
Here are the entries of the Corporate expenditure upon the Act :— 
Itm paide to Mr. Hele for his helpe att London 
for furtherenge of of sute for bringinge in 
of the water as by his bill appearethe . SK EKI” wie 
Itm paide to Mr. Christopher Harris for the helpe 
aboute the water as by his Bille appearethe. xvij" vjs 
Itm paide to George Baron for his paines and 
charge in sollicitinge the Cawse for the 
Bringinge home of the water to the Towne 
w’h is enacted spendinge xxviij daies . ene iiit 
Itm paide more for drawinge of the Acte manye 
tymes writen ft a aif} 
These were the charges of expenditure in London, and show 
beyond all cavil that the Corporation not only prosecuted their 
own suit, but paid for its prosecution, and sent their Town Clerk 
—Baron—specially to London to ‘‘sollicit the cawse.” There is 
neither mention of Drake, nor room, nor need, for his interference. 
The means assigned are ample for the end attained. 
It will be observed that while Hele is paide for ‘‘hzs helpe,” 
* May not the delay in the water scheme have been partly caused by the 
need of procuring parliamentary powers? Much has been said of the influ- 
ence which, altogether against evidence, Drake has been supposed to have 
exerted in obtaining the Water Act. Would not his influence, if exerted, 
have prevented the necessity for such an Act at all? 
+ Froude’s ‘‘ History.” 
+ It was evidently not printed. 
2a 2 
