ces that: the town and country,
for which I serve, suffereth by some of these monopolies. It bringeth
the general profit into a private hand, and the end of all this is
beggary and bondage to the subjects. We have a law for the true and
faithful currying of leather. There is a patent sets all at liberty,
notwithstanding that statute. And to what purpose is it to do any
thing by act of parliament, when the queen will undo the same by her
prerogative? Out of the spirit of humiliation, Mr. Speaker, I do speak
it, there is no act of hers that hath been or is mores derogatory to
her own majesty, more odious to the subject, more dangerous to the
commonwealth, than the granting of these monopolies." Mr. Martin said,
"I do speak for a town that grieves and pines, tor a country
that groaneth and languisheth, under the burden of monstrous and
unconscionable substitutes to the monopolitans of starch, tin, fish,
cloth, oil, vinegar, salt, and I know not what; nay, what not? The
principalest commodities, both of my town and country, are engrossed
into the hands of these bloodsuckers of the commonwealth. If a body, Mr.
Speaker, being let blood, be left still languishing without any remedy,
how can the good estate of that body still remain? Such is the state of
my town and country; the traffic is taken away, the inward and private
commodities are taken away, and dare not be used without the license of
these monopolitans. If these bloodsuckers be still let alone to suck up
the best and principalest commodities which the earth there hath given
us, what will become of us, from whom the fruits of our own soil, and
the commodities of our own labor, which, with the sweat of our brows,
even up to the knees in mire and dirt, we have labored for, shall be
taken by warrant of supreme authority, which the poor subject dare
not gainsay?" Mr. George Moore said, "We know the power of her majesty
cannot be restrained by any act. Why, wherefore, should we thus talk s
Admit we should make this statute with a non obstante; yet the queen may
grant a patent with a non obstante to cross this non obstante. I think,
therefore, it agreeth more with the gravity and wisdom of this house, to
proceed with all humbleness by petition than bill." Mr. Downland said,
"As I would be no let or over-vehement in any thing, so I am not sottish
or senseless of the common grievance of the commonwealth. If we proceed
by way of petition, we can have no more gracious answer then