According to your Majesty's reference signified by Sir Roger Wilbraham, I have considered of the petition of Sir Gilbert Houghton, your Majesty's servant, for a license of sole transportation of tallow, butter and hides, etc, out of your realm of Ireland, and have had conference with the Lord Chichester, late Lord Deputy of Ireland, and likewise with Sir John Davies, your Majesty's Attorney there. And this is that which I find.
First, that hides and skins may not be meddled withal, being a staple commodity of the kingdom, wherein the towns are principally interested.
That for tallow, butter, beef, not understanding it of live cattle, and pipe-staves, for upon they things we fell, although they were not all contained in the petition, but in respect hides were more worth than the rest, they were thought of by way of some supply; these commodities are such as the kingdom may well spare, and in that respect fit to be transported; wherein, nevertheless, some consideration may be had of the profit, that shall be taken upon the license. Neither do I find, that the farmers of the customs there, of which some of them were before me, did much stand upon it, but seemed rather to give away to it.
I find also, that at this time all commodities are free to be transported by proclamation, so as no profit can be made of it, except there be by some prohibition in the letters patents, than by any
All which, nevertheless, I submit to your Majesty's better judgement.
Your Majesty's most humble bounden subject and servant,
Fr. Bacon