[326] Large Proc. Bk., No. 108, 20th Nov. 1622.
[327] Ib., No. 109.
[328] Letter of Chamberlain to Carleton, Dom. S. P., Vol. 134, No. 801.
[329] Cal. of State Papers, Mar. 26th, 1623.
[330] Privy Council Register, 9th Feb. 1621/2. The ten counties to which this letter was sent are as follows:
- Wilts.,
- Somerset,
- Dorset,
- Devon,
- York,
- Gloucester,
- Worcester,
- Oxford,
- Kent,
- Suffolk.
[331] Cal. of State Papers, April 28th, 1622, Vol. 128, No. 67; March 18th, 1622, Nos. 49 and 50. From Oxfordshire there is a like report. The justices of Somerset state that the corn riots are now suppressed, but that the want of work tends to mutiny. Cal. of State Papers, May 14th, 1622. The justices of Wilts reply that some of the clothiers have dismissed their workpeople and there are now 8000 out of work; some of them have attacked and seized corn on its way to market and further outrages are feared. Cal. of State Papers, April 30th, 1622. In consequence of this distress inquiry was ordered. A committee of the Privy Council was appointed to find out the causes of the decay of trade and to suggest remedies. Representative clothiers were to be sent from every county to the Council, and the Merchant Adventurers were to appoint some of their number to confer with the committee. In May it was settled that if the Eastland merchants did not buy the cloths the merchants might do so themselves, and in October an important committee was appointed to consider the whole matter.
[332] Privy Council Register, 18th Dec. 1622.
[333] See Chapters XI., XII.
[334] Thus from Suffolk a whole series of reports record a vigilant execution of the poor laws. In Hadleigh the justices say they have done their best to set the poor to work (the "towne consisting onely of clothinge"). At present (Mar. 18, 1622/3) and for a month past were few shearmen, weavers, spinsters or other workfolk that could not have sufficient work to employ themselves, but they do not know how long this may continue ("the vent of cloth being so doubtfull"). D. S. P., Jac. I., Vol. 142, No. 14, VI. In April we hear of the price of corn abating. D. S. P., Jac. I., Vol. 143, No. 24.