Stoke Newington, Aug. 30.
A Sword-blade Note (Vol. iv., p. 176.).
—The sword-blade note, to which R. J. refers, was doubtless a note of the Sword-blade Company, which was intimately connected with the South Sea Company. In the narrative respecting the latter company, given in The Historical Register for 1720, is an account of a conference between the South Sea Directors and those of the Bank of England: therein is the following passage:
"And when it was urg'd that the Sword Blade Company should come into the Treaty; By no means, reply'd Sir Gilbert [Heathcote]; for if the South Sea Company be wedded to the Bank, he ought not to be allow'd to keep a Mistress. The Event show'd that the Bank acted with their usual Prudence, in not admitting the Sword Blade Company into a Partnership."—Historical Register for 1720, p. 368.
At p. 377. of the same work it is stated, that on the 24th of September the Sword-blade Company, "who hitherto had been the chief cash keepers to the South Sea Company," stopped payment, "being almost drain'd of their ready money."
Perhaps some of your correspondents may be able to elucidate the rise, transactions, and "winding up" of the Sword-blade Company.
C. H. COOPER.
Cambridge, Sept. 6. 1851.
Domesday Book of Scotland (Vol. iv., p. 7.).
—Your correspondent ABERDONIENSIS is informed that what he is in quest of was published by the "Bannatyne Club," under the name of the "Ragman Rolls," in 1834, 4to. It is entitled, Instrumenta Publica sive Processus super Fidelitatibus et Homagiis Scotorum Domino Regi Angliæ factis, A.D. M.CC.XCI.—M.CC.XCVI.