Further we haue caused the statute of laborers to be putt in execucon[772].
Item we haue ordered That the taxacons for the releife of the poore are duely collected for their present releife. And touchinge the hable poore men of the Towne both great and smale They are daielie imployed and set on woorke, by the meanes of a good manufacture founded by the right honoble the most Reuerend father in god, the Lord Archbishopp of Canterbury his grace, in Guldeford, the stock beinge flaxe and hempe, spining and weauing the same into cloth, wch we finde to be a great comfort to many poore workefolke, men, women and children her.
We haue caused daylie ward in the Toune to be kept by sufficient persons for the app(re)hencon of Rogues and Vagabonds and for safetie and good order.
And we haue wth all diligence and care taken order That the constables and officers in the saide Towne haue vsed all diligence and care in punishinge of Rogues and Vagabonds and that ther was few or no Rogue taken for that by the late care and watch in the countrie and Townes nere to tak Rogues, verie few or none are found to wander nor any come to this Towne.
The number of Alehouses ar wth all care lessened wth vs and the unlycensed punished and Brewers that haue srued them, and the penalties disposed to the poore accordinge to lawe.
We haue taken speciall Care for the amending of highwaies wthin the lib(er)ties of the Towne and haue giuen the same in chardge to the Surveyors of the high waies to see it trulie performed
16to May Anno D(omin)i 1631.
Jo. Champion Maior."
E. Dom. State Papers, Chas. I., Vol. 216, No. 45. This document is endorsed "Cantebr(igia) July 1632, Certificate of ye justices for the hundreds of Chesterton, Papworth and North sto(we). Julii 16o 1632."[773]
Com(itatus) Cantebr(igiensis).