| Description | It was ordered that an assessment of £40 should be made and levied from all Citizens and inhabitants on or before the 14th November for the payment of a guard of soldiers for the defence of the City. Appointment of assessors.
Treasurers and all other persons accountable to the City and who had not yet accounted were to appear before the Auditors thereafter named. Appointment of seven auditors who were to proceed according to former orders.
(ZA/B/2/140) Richard Levinge, esq., Recorder, and William Crompton, Alderman, made known their proceedings in pursuance of an order of Assembly of 1st April last [missing], for sueing to the King for renewing or confirming the City's charter. They had obtained the same with such additions as were desired. The new charter had passed the privy signet and privy seal, and only remained to be transcribed and to pass the great seal. As their attendance in London was no longer necessary they had committed the further care of the matter to "an approved solliciter". They stated that they had already disbursed about £160, and that there would be occasion for at least £40 more. The Assembly thanked them for the care and affection which they had manifested. In order to raise the necessary money it was ordered that those who had not paid the last assessment for that purpose should immediately do so, and that if they refused they should be disfranchised. It was ordered that £50 should be assessed and levied according to the directions in the former order of Assembly of 1st April, and that £50 more should be paid by the Treasurers of the City. All these sums should be paid to Mr Alderman Crompton.
A bill of complaint exhibited in the Exchequer Court at Chester by Jonathan Ridge, draper, for stay of a suit commenced against him in the Pentice court by Robert Taylor, one of the Sheriff's officers, was read. The Mayor and Citizens and the Murengers were concerned in the suit. It was ordered that Robert Taylor should cease his suit and all further actions against Ridge (ZA/B/2/140v); and that Taylor should be paid his just demands by the City Treasurers, provided that henceforth Ridge ceased all further proceedings in the Exchequer. If he failed to do so, Taylor was at liberty to prosecute his suit, and the suit in the Exchequer was to be a City's cause.
It was ordered that Treasurers and all other persons accountable to the City should appear with their accounts before the Auditors thereafter appointed. For auditing the accounts of Alderman Arthur Walley, late Treasurer, Thomas Throppe, Alderman, was content to give his assistance. Appointment of seven Auditors, who were to proceed in accordance with former orders. |