[345] 10th May, 1629. Privy Council Reg. "The merchants have been earnestly delt wth ... to continue their wonted course in that behalfe. And upon conference wth the said marchants wee find them inclined and plyable to his Mat's desire."
[346] Privy Council Register, 12th May, 1629.
[347] Privy Council Register, 26th April, 1637.
[348] Ib., 28th Feb., 1643/4.
[349] Ib., Entered 29th April, 1629.
[350] Ib., 5th May, 1629 f., No. 237.
[351] The word "stockes" or stocks is here used in the sense of capital for providing employment. We shall see that it was usual to raise a lump sum of money for this purpose, almost always called the "stock" of the parish. This was supposed to remain intact. Occasionally the word stock was used for any capital sum possessed by the parish, but never for the ordinary poor rates which were spent during the year.
[352] Proclamation Book, Chas. I., No. 109. Record Office, 17th May, 5 Chas. I.
[353] Privy Council Register, 22nd May, 1629. See Appendix.
[354] The Devonshire justices are told that people began to want employment "wch in a short time may (if not prevented) breede great inconveniences to the country." They in consultation with the justices of Exeter were to "settle some good course whereby the poore labouring people in generall may be provided of worke, and that in particular those who more especially belong to the trade and busines of cloathing." Privy Council Register, 13th April, 1639.