| Description | Nathaniel Basnett, apothecary, appeared before the Assembly to give his reasons for refusing to pay the fine imposed upon him for refusing to be one of the Common Council of the City. He pretended that there was no precedent for fining any person for refusing to accept this office when chosen. The Recorder cited divers ancient precedents, and ancient orders of Assembly were read by which it clearly appeared that several persons had been fined for the like offence, and that it had been ordered that they should be disfranchised if they refused to pay the fine. It was ordered that he should pay the fine of 40 marks before January 1st, and that, in default of payment, he should be disfranchised and turned out of the liberties and franchises of the City at the next Assembly.
The former order for the payment of £56: 8s: 11½d to Ann Minshull, widow, was repealed. Seven persons were appointed to audit Alderman Minshull's accounts, and they were to report to the next Assembly.
(ZA/B/2/170v) It was ordered that William Streete, Alderman and Justice of the Peace, should re-pay to the Treasurers £8 which he had paid to the Swordbearer and Maceberarer out of the Treasury in the time of his Mayoralty.
The Treasurers were to pay Thomas Chapman, goldsmith, £3, over and besides his having the old mace lately belonging to the City, in full satisfaction for a sugar box for the City's use.
It was agreed that Ralph Whitley, gentleman, should be admitted to the freedom gratis, that Ralph Hulton, watchmaker, should be admitted for £6: 13s: 4d, and that George Hewett, gentleman, should be admitted for £20. |