KING CHARLES II ORDERS THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ‘UNDERSEARCHER OR SUBSEARCHER’ FOR THE PORT OF LONDON ~ IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN TAX REVENUES FOR HIS WAR WITH THE DUTCH
CHARLES II. (1630-85). King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85). Interesting Document Signed with his bold, “Charles R”, as King, at top of page. One page, large quarto. Whitehall, London, September 6, 1672. Docketed on verso: “Mr. Knight’s warrant for officer of one of the undersearchers placed in the port of London”. Signed and acknowledged by the Earl of Arlington at lower right. Fine condition. The document reads:
“Whereas Wee were Gratiously Pleased in ye Nineteenth yeare of Our Reigne, for many good and faithfull Services to us performed, to grant unto Our Trusty and wellbeloved John Seymor and Hugh Seymour Esqs., and ye longer lived of them, ye Place and Office of one of ye five Undersearchers or Subsearchers in Our Port of London; Wee taking into consideration, That ye said Hugh Seymour was killed in Our Service against ye Dutch, and for Severall other good causes us thereunto moving, doe at ye humble request of ye said John Seymor, Give and Grant unto Our Trusty and wellbeloved John Knight Esq., ye Office of one of ye five Undersearchers or Subsearchers in Our Port of London; and Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, That you prepare a Bill for Our Royall Signature, to Passe Our Great Seale of England, containing Our Grant of ye Place and Office of one of ye five Undersearchers or Subsearchers in Our Port of London, To have and To hold, for and during his naturall life, next and immediately from and after ye death, Surrender, forfeiture, or other sooner determination of ye severall estates and interest of Daniel Colwall, Thomas Barton, Robert Foster, William Dockwa, John Seymor and Arnold Griffith, or any of them, that is or shall first become void, with all ye Wages, fees, and advantages, thereunto belonging, in as full and ample manner to all intents and purposes, as they the said Daniel Colwall, Thomas Barton, Robert Foster, William Dockwa, John Seymor and Arnold Griffith, or any of them, have, doe or may hold and enjoy ye same. For which this shall bee your sufficient Warrant. Given at Our Court at Whitehall ye 6th day of September 1672. BY His Majesty’s Command. Arlington. To Our Attorney or Sollicitor Generall”.
During the Third Anglo-Dutch War, the funds raised by Charles II’s custom’s officials became an important source of the British government’s income. At the start of hostilities in 1672, Britain was still feeling the after effects of The Great Fire of 1666, which had disrupted trade. Even so, custom’s collections topped a half a million Pounds a year. Early in the conflict, Charles’ hope for a quick war dissolved, and increasing domestic political strife presently made the continuation of war impossible. In October of 1673, the final blow was struck; Charles was denied additional funds by Parliament. Four moths later, the war ended with the Treaty of Westminster.
$2800.00
Henry Bennet, First Earl of Arlington (1616-1685) was a member of the Cabal Ministry. During the Civil War, he left England and travelled in France and Italy. He was entirely in the confidence of the Royal Family while in exile in Flanders, and in 1658 was sent as Charles II’s agent to Madrid. After the Restoration, he was appointed Keeper of the Privy Purse, and in October 1682, he became Secretary of State.