THE TOWNSEND MANUSCRIPTS.
One of the Townsend Manuscripts is in the possession of Mr. G. E. Roberts, of Kidderminster. It is an interleaved copy of "The Compleat Justice. London, 1661," in octavo; and consists of 420 pages letterpress, and 470 in manuscript. It is well bound in calf, with initials of the Knight ("H. T.") impressed on sides, and autograph on fly-leaf. Sir Henry's aim may have been to render it a book of legal reference, as upon one of the first leaves he gives a key to a great part of the Manuscript in a list of authorities quoted. But amongst them exists much matter of a more interesting nature. The following list of the more valuable mems. will afford an idea of their character.
"1. Orders at Quarter Sessions for the raising of monies for the repair of Worcester after the battle, 13th Jan., 1651.
"2. Sundry criminal cases tried at Sessions, between 1651 and 1662.
"3. Laws respecting 'Alehowses consented to, vpon presentmt of ye Grand Jury,' within the county, 1660.
"4. Limitation of 'Alehowses' within the county, 1649; with lists of 'ye certeyn number allowed.'
"5. Forms of binding 'Apprentizes to Husbandry,' 1650.
"6. Copies of Royal proclamation:—17 Jan. 1660, 12 Car. 2. Commanding all officers to forbear seizing arms or other munitions without warrant.—26 April, 1662, 14, Car. 2. Setting rates for all provisions sold within the limits of the Court.—29 Jan., 1660. Forbidding the eating of flesh in Lent, and all other fish days.—17 Jan. 1662. The same.—16 Aug., 1661. Limiting the number of horses in carriers' waggons.—29 Sept., 1662. The same.—19 April, 1661. Against seamen serving foreign Princes.—13 Aug., 1660. Against duels.—30 Dec., 1661. For the better discovering of thefts, offering rewards of knowledge of the offenders.—9 May, 1661. To put in execution an old statute, for the relief of the poor.—30 May, 1660. Against profanity.—No date. Against the planting of tobacco. (With orders of Sessions respecting it, 1662.)—16 Jan. 1660. Authorising search for seditious papers.—10 Jan., 1660. Forbidding seditious meetings.
"7. Mems. on the Act of Oblivion, 1660, also notes from Sir E. Hyde's speech thereon.
"8. Orders of Court respecting bridges at Tenbury, Knightsford, Home, Stanford, 'Stone bridg in Alfric,' and Haford; also, the parishes of Hartlebury, Lindridge, and Wolverley exempted from county payments towards repair of bridges.
"9. 'My Lord Couentry's Letter to ye Justices of ye County, concerning Certificats about fyre,' 1661.
"10. Heads of the Act of Uniformity, 1662.
"11. Charges of Sir Waddem Wyndham and Sir Robert Hyde, at Worcester and Gloucester Assizes. (Many.)
"12. Order of Sessions, 3 Jan., 1660. That all cottages erected in the time of the late wars be plucked down.
"13. Table of fees agreed on, Worcester Sessions, 15 April, 9 Car., for Clerk of Assize; also fees for Clerk of the Peace, 1662.
"14. Orders and mems. respecting the County Gaol, 1660.
"15. Inquiry by a Royal Commission into the Cathedral School at Worcester, 1653; and results in detail.
"16. Orders of Sessions respecting the New House of Correction, 1659, and against making of malt within the county, 6th Car. 2.
"17. Orders respecting the pensions of the Muster Master and Provost Marshall, 1660.
"18. Punishment of Quakers at Sessions, 1661.
"19. Orders of the King's Majesty, made 1636, concerning the plague.
"20. Orders of Sessions respecting the poor people of this county.
"21. Charges of Mr. Baron Atkins, Worcester, 1683-4.
"22. Orders of Sessions for payments to wounded soldiers, 1651. (Many.)
"23. Heads of the charges delivered by Bp. Gauden, Worcester, 1662.
"24. Interesting notes on witchcraft, and trial of witches."
The original Diary of Mr. Henry Townsend, of Elmley Court, Worcestershire, for 1640-2, 1656-61, is in the possession of Sir T. Phillipps, Bart., and has been recommended to the Camden Society to be edited by Mrs. Mary Ann Everett Green, whose intention, I believe, it is to do so this year (1856).