| Description | The Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Chester, plaintiffs, v. John Peers, defendant, in a plea of debt in the Queen's Bench. Draft of further brief on the part of the plaintiffs. Concerns the right of the Corporation to collect an anchorage toll of 1s. on ships entering the port. Until the previous September, these dues had been received by the Water Bailiff from his Collector at the Custom House, but the Council then decided to give him an annual salary and directed the Collector to collect the dues and pay them over to the Treasurers. The defendant is master of the Chester of Chester and entered the port with a cargo from Barrow on 15th Oct., 1838. Includes copies of affidavits by captains of ships and others. Note reference to the fact that the Water Bailiff had a silver oar as evidence of his function. 15ff |