DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57079#0158
142 THE EARLY HISTORY OF
only ways of avoiding the company’s imposi-
tions. A favourite trick appears to have
been to enter goods brought from Turkey in
the name of some member of the company.2
So grave did this trouble become that it was
found necessary to take serious steps to check
it. A special officer was appointed, who
was strengthened by a warrant from the Lord
Treasurer, and his duty was to detain all
goods brought from Turkey until the owners
who came to claim them brought the com-
pany’s seal to their bill of lading. William
Burgess, the company’s secretary was ap-
pointed to the position, and special instruc-
tions were issued to him.3 He was to be
daily at the Custom House, in the forenoon :
and to see to it that no bill of entry passed
unless the company’s seal was affixed to it.
An interesting suggestion was made with
regard to the bills ; the quantity of goods
mentioned had to be expressed in words and
not merely in figures, in order that no tam-
pering might take place—as seems to have
been the case in the past. The official of the
2 Cf. Min. December u, 1633 ; December 18, 1633.
3 Min. February 17, 1633.
only ways of avoiding the company’s imposi-
tions. A favourite trick appears to have
been to enter goods brought from Turkey in
the name of some member of the company.2
So grave did this trouble become that it was
found necessary to take serious steps to check
it. A special officer was appointed, who
was strengthened by a warrant from the Lord
Treasurer, and his duty was to detain all
goods brought from Turkey until the owners
who came to claim them brought the com-
pany’s seal to their bill of lading. William
Burgess, the company’s secretary was ap-
pointed to the position, and special instruc-
tions were issued to him.3 He was to be
daily at the Custom House, in the forenoon :
and to see to it that no bill of entry passed
unless the company’s seal was affixed to it.
An interesting suggestion was made with
regard to the bills ; the quantity of goods
mentioned had to be expressed in words and
not merely in figures, in order that no tam-
pering might take place—as seems to have
been the case in the past. The official of the
2 Cf. Min. December u, 1633 ; December 18, 1633.
3 Min. February 17, 1633.