0 7.5

Hardly had the king's return been effected when, amidst the innumerable
petitions which instantly greeted him, is one from Sir Hugh Middleton,
Bart., for "the place of Overseer and Receiver of Profits of His
Majestie's Iron Works in the Forest of Dean." {42c} He strengthened his
application with the timely remark that the appointment for which he
sought was held by Major John Wade, "put in by Cromwell; an officer of
which Wade, in July last (1659), robbed him of horses, arms, &c., kept
him four months in close imprisonment for adhering to His Maty, & has
several times ransacked his house."

A contemporary petition, to much the same end, but from a different
quarter, was presented by Sir Edward Massey. He stated, truly enough,
that "he had formerly held the works for which he now applied, but they
and all his stock were taken from him by the Rump Parliament for his
loyalty." But he suppressed saying, how they were formerly voted to him
by the House of Commons for defeating the staunch royalist Sir John
Winter, to whom they previously belonged.

Sir John, himself, was a third, and reasonable applicant for the
restoration of his patent for the same, which was as justly restored him;
the other, but unsuccessful candidate, being Sir Baynham Throckmorton.

In an elaborate return, {43} addressed to the Barons of the Exchequer,
and dated the 12th April, 1662, the question is mooted, "What advantages
will yearly accrue to His Maty by his furnace and forge, if taken into
his owne hands?" The answer is worked out in the following manner:--

"Imprimis.--Fower Long Coards of Wood will make two Loads of Coles
wch two Loads of Coales will make one Tunne of Sowe Iron.

"Charges to make a Tunn of Sow Iron.
_li._ _s._ _d._
For cutting and 00 14 00
coarding of
Four Long
Coards genrlly
will cost
For Coaleing at 00 07 00
3s 6d per
loade
For carrying it 00 07 00
to the Furnace,
genrlly
For Mine and 00 05 00
Oar
For Cinders 00 03 00
To the Founder 00 02 06
or Caster
01 18 06

"Price of a Tun of Sow Iron.

"Which Tune of Sow Iron will yield coib annis, although now debased by