SIR FRANCIS DRAKE AND THE PLYMOUTH CORPORATION. 463 
existence before December, 1590, when Drake is recorded (wide 
extract from the “Black Book” below) to have commenced his 
operations. 
All the entries of actual work done on the leat fall in the next 
mayoralty, that of Walter Pepperell (1590-91). I cite them as they 
stand ; but they cannot be in due order of date, since the charges 
at the rejoicings when the work was completed have precedence. 
In the majority of instances the Receivers’ Accounts give the 
customary receipts and payments first, and then the casual, as they 
were paid by the Receiver or brought up for payment at the 
audit. 
The first entry of the series is highly creditable to the gallantry 
of the ‘‘ Masters” or Aldermen of that day : 
Itm paied for provision when the mystresses Rade 
first to vewe the water Course ; matt ex® yiijt 
We can very well imagine the interest felt in the work when we 
find it thus made the occasion of a picnic out of the Corporate 
funds for the wives of the leading members of the Corporation. 
And then we come to the entries connected with the “ bringinge 
in of the leate,” which show that the rejoicings were conducted 
with full state and solemnity. A trumpeter accompanied Mr. Mayor 
to the river, and four others were sent to the leat to give loud 
welcome ; salutes were fired by the gunners, rewards given to the 
leading actors in the work, and, according to the good old English 
custom, there was plenty of eating and drinking. Probably Drake 
and Christopher Harris were present ; at all events messengers were 
sent to them in connection with the proceedings, which hardly 
tallies with the presumably traditional story of Sir Francis formally 
handing the water over. Indeed tradition here seems almost wholly 
at fault. 
Itm for the hyer of a horse for a Cra to as 
in compayng to the Riv" xijt 
Itm pd to 4 trumpetors that were att the jai ts 
Mr. Maiors comaundemt ; : Vv" 
Itm pd for horses for theym ee iil. 
Itm to a messeng thatt was sente to S eranes 
Drake ' : : : sie 
Itm to a messenger sent cae m'harrys . ; xij? 
