View report page

24
yor Matie's townes Corporate within this yor Kingdom,
and as the matter duly considered might require (the rights
of the said Church being allwaies preserved) That a greate
good would redound to yor Matie's said Cittie whence they
shoidd also be much more enabled to serve you.
Whatever may have been the terms of the King's reply,
no change was made in the constitution or powers of the
Burgesses, but the rising disturbances, already active at
this time, and the arbitrary determination of public
questions without the aid of Parliament, may account for
the failure of the effort.
The annual elections and the appointment of officers
under these Acts are still made; but modern legislation has
divested the court of nearly all its original powers, the
principal surviving duty being that of punishing offenders
in respect of defective weights or measures.
The costs attending the progress of the principal Bill
through Parliament amounted to £26 7s. 6d., and the outlay
upon the adaptation and furnishing the Court House—
probably the building used by the Staple Court—was
£6 14s. 11d.
The following particulars concerning such costs are taken
from the Vestry Minute Book of the time:—
Charges layde out concerninge the Acte of Pliamente
for the Cittie of Westmr, and the Lyberties of
the same.
Charges of the Lower house, 1585.
Imprimis paid to mr. Atkinson for Cownsell xxs.
to his mane for writting a paper Booke iijs. iiijd.
Item to Quinc, the Cownsellor xxs.
to his man vis.
Item to mr. Anslowe the Clerke of the lowere howse to
further ye sute xxs.
Item to the Sargente of the Loewere howse xs.
Item for A dinnere for our Burgesses and other Comytties
at the Courte of Warde xxs. viijd.
Item for Boatehier at Dyveres tymes abowte the same
busines ijs. vjd.
Item to my Lord Treaserer's man for drainge the Booke at
my Ls Comanndmt xs.