" they being charged divers Ways, as his Lordship well understood: And for that they had at that present Time, Ships ready to go forth for those Parts, they humbly beseeched his Lordship to procure her Majesty's Resolution therein, before the same Ships departed, for the better Direction of their Affairs there. And so humbly beseeching him to stand their good Lord herein, and craving Pardon for this their Boldness, they humbly took their Leaves."

"Subscribed by
Edward Osborne.
George Barne.
Richard Martyn.
Martyn Calthorpe.
John Harte.
John Spenser.
William Masham.
Thomas Smith.
Richard May.
Richard Staper. "

King James the First, near the beginning of his Reign, was apprehensive of a Rebellion in the North of Ireland; when the Citizens of London seasonably supplied him with Twenty Thousand Pounds for his Irish Affairs. It was in the Month of July, 1609, or 1610, that that King offered the Lord Maior and Citizens a Possession and Plantation of Englishmen, in the Province of Ulster. Accordingly they advised themselves therein. And in August they sent Four expert and discreet Persons, accompanied and directed by Sir Thomas Philips, (as the Lords of the Council had appointed) to Survey that Province, and to observe the Profits, with the State and Condition thereof, and to report what Ruins were to be Repaired; and what Cities, Castles, and Towns, were presently to be Builded. When these Four Surveyors were returned, they certified the true State thereof, and of the Commodities, Honour and Credit, that was likely thereby to accrue to the City. And so they resolved to agree to the King's Offer, and Levied the foresaid Sum. And by Virtue of an Act of Common Council, they constituted Twenty Four Committees, consisting of Six Aldermen, and Eighteen Commoners; the Two Chief were called the Governor and Deputy: All which to be chosen every Year: And to have all Power and Authority to order and dispose all Matters, for Plantation, Traffick, Rule and Government, in that Northern Part of Ireland. On the 14th of February, they made Publication thereof; signifying unto all Handicrafts Men that would go thither, that they should have present Entertainment and Employment in this Expedition, and their full Wages, with their Dwelling Houses, and other good Means, for the Maintenance of themselves and their Families. Upon Knowledge whereof, there came about Three Hundred Persons: Who were presently fitted and furnished with all Things necessary; and with all convenient Speed were sent to Ulster. And so this Expedition proved Prosperous: Alderman Cockain being the first Governor.

But to give some further Account, how this weighty Business proceeded. There were soon after, many Neglects and Abuses about this Plantation. Which the King, taking Notice of in the Year 1613, intimated at Greenwich unto the Governor, and divers Aldermen and Citizens, being of the Committees. And at a great Common Council upon Midsummer Day, Sir Henry Mountague, the King's Serjeant at Law, came unto them from the King, and declared unto them the Errors in the due Prosecution of this purposed Plantation. And that it was his Majesty's Pleasure, that they should forthwith send over some of themselves, and ordain a better and more speedy Course in this Plantation; that is, for Planting, Fortifying, Constituting, Governing and Building: And to take exact Survey of all Places, and all Persons and Expences, to be employed in this weighty Business. Upon this Message from the King, the Lord Maior, and Citizens, sent over thither one Alderman, (viz. George Smithes) and one Commoner; and the Governor and Committees sent also, to aid them in their Negotiation, Captain Paxton, a Citizen, and excellent Soldier, to give his Direction in Fortification, and one Southes, a Skilful Man for a Surveyer of the Buildings, and one Mosse, a Sollicitor of London, to be their Secretary. These embarked for Ireland, and arrived at Dublin. And thence went to the Province of Ulster. Where they Surveyed the chief Cities belonging to their Plantation, viz. the Cities of London-Derry and Coleraine, with the Situation, and Fortifications thereof; and examined what Offices and Officers had been formerly Constituted; and which were fit to be continued or changed; and to settle the best Course for Commerce with good Government in Peace and War. And having spent Three Months in these Parts, they returned; having established their Towns, Lands, and Buildings, in the best Manner the Time would permit. And made Report by Writing unto the Governor and Committees very exactly, answering Forty Four Articles of Instructions given them in Charge by the Committees: And also they delivered to the Common Council, a Relation in Writing of the whole Matter of their Proceeding in this Business; and their Advices for the Proceedings hereafter. Which the said Common Council accepted and approved.

Further, in the Year 1616, by a special Commission from the King, and from the City of London, Peter Proby, Alderman, and Governor of the new Plantation of the Province of Ulster, in Ireland, accompanied with other Citizens appointed, went thither and ministred the Oath unto all Officers, and others, for the well Government, and making true Accounts. And he carried over with him Two rich Swords. Whereof one he delivered to Sir John Vaughan, Knight, Maior of London-Derry; and the other to Tristram Berisford, Esq; Maior of Colerain, for the Time being: To be born before them and their Successors for ever. There was also sent unto the Maior of London-Derry, a great guilded Mace, being sent him from the Governor and Assistants of the Plantation. And after Mr. Proby had stayed about a Quarter of a Year in those Parts, and ordered Matters, he returned back with his Company to London again.

It would be endless, and indeed impossible, to give a particular Enumeration of the Citizens of most Note for Wealth; let it suffice to take Notice of a few; who were not only Wealthy, but employed by their Princes, and advanced to great Honour.

Sir Michael de la Pole, created by King Richard the IId Earl of Suffolk, and constituted Lord Chancellor of England, was the Son of a Merchant of London.

Sir William Fitz-Williams, a Merchant Taylor, sometime Sheriff of London, was preferred first to Cardinal Wolsey's Houshold, and afterwards Privy Counsellor to King Henry the VIIIth, Treasurer of his Houshold, and Lord Admiral of