Friday 12th. March 1741/2

PryseWalter Esqr his
proposals referred to the Comee}

The Proposals of Walter Pryse< no role > Esqr . which were laid before the Court
the 17th. of Decer. last were taken into consideration by this CourtAnd upon
reading the first proposal It is Ordered that it be referred to a Comittee for
Examine what fund and ocsorsios have been Established or made use of for
putting out. Apprentice Clothing Maintaining Educating or otherwise providing
for any and what sort of poor.distress Children and how the same now starts
And upon reading the second It is Ordered That it be referred to a
Comittee to Examine how many Apprentice an Artsmaster in each House
or Habitation in former times usually took as the Consideration for enjoing
the same and if such Artsmaster was or is liable to any and what other
service Duty or Consideration for the benefit of such House or Habitation
and do setforth the annual Value of such House or Habitation with all
other Benefits Advantages & Priviledges enjoyed by Each Artsmaster
from and under the Charity of this Hospital
And upon reading the Third It is Ordered that the said Comittee
be desired to examine the several Artsmasters in such manner as they
shall think fit in order to discover if they can the reasons why there
are so few Apprentices at this time in Comparison to the Number formerly
And it is Ordered that it be referred to the Comittee of this
House to examine into the matters aforesaid and to report the same
with their Opinion thereon to this Court and they are desired to do the
same with all convenient speed.

Books & the Clerk to collect
their together}

Also at this Court It is Ordered that the Clerk of this Hospital do
forthwith Collect and get together all the Books Papers. Writings &
Records relating to the premisses to remain in his Office in regular
Order for the easy inspection of the Committee of this House when &
as often as they shall think proper to peruse the same.

SpicerMr Thos< no role > .his pre
referred to Commee}

Mr. Treasurer acquainted this Court That since the sitting of the Court
he had received a Letter directed to him which he had opened & read and
living delivered it to the Clerk & the same being read to this Court as
follows Vizt3 Pigeons & Mitre in Fleetstreet March 12th. 1741. Sr . There
being a Court to beheld this day at the Hospital of Bridewell the proposals
of Walter Pryse< no role > Esqr particularly to be considered In regard to the benefit
of the Charity & the abuse made of it. as likewise the Injury to my Fellow
Citizers I think it necessary to give the Court such Information as may
be condusive to rectify the sameIt is well known that the
Artsmasters employ Journeyman & servants to manufacture their Goods
who are not Inhabitants of Bridewell and for that reason employ a
smaller Number of Boys2d. Some of them deal in Goods that are
not manufactured in the Hospital but buy them of other Womans in
the Outputs of the Town & having the favour of living Rent & Tax free
are in some meance an Hed to sell (Goods so bought) for a smaller
profit to the prejudice of persons who are oblidged to follow Trade in
the City & pay Rent3d. The Artsmasters do not only deal in Goods
bought of Weavers in Term but also buy and sell Goods imported from
Holland & from Manchester & Coventry ready Manufactured & as the desire
of this Hospital is to instruct Boys in Arts of Manufactury,this Method
can be no advantage to them but intirely the Masters & Apprehend one
Principal reason of the abuse of this Charity & am certain prejudicial to
Traders in the same branch of businessIn Confidence of your good
Intentions & the Dignity of your Office in this Society I have Intent the
freedom to send you these remarks to lay before the Court & am ready at any
time to lay before the Court to make good what I have here advanced if
they prove any way serviceable to rectify any abuses or serviceable to any
Fellow Citizens it will be of great Satisfaction to your humble serct. thos. Spicer
It is Ordered that it be referred to the Comittee of this house to commion
into the matters contained in the said Letter & to report the same with
their opinion thereon to this Court at the same time they make their
Report concerning the matters contained in Mr. Pryse's proposals.