To the Worpfull his Mats. Justices of the peace at their Genall Quarter
Sessions of the peace holden for the County of Middx by a presence at Hicks hall the 14th
of October 1717 .

The humble Memoriall of Thomas Richards< no role > on the behalfe of the [..]
Inhabitts of the Liberty of St. Albans in the County of Hertford .

Sheweth

That is was the Opinion of the Justices at Hicks hall at Michaelmas Sessions 1716.
that the Constables in Middx ought to convey Vagrants through the County of Middx & not to
Lease them in Chipping Barnett at all, & the Court then agreed that these wth came towards
St. Albans should be conveyed to Ridge, but still they continue to leave them at Barnett.

The same was likewise the Opinion of the Justices for the Liberty of St. Albans, & at
Christmas Sessions last they order'd that the Constables of Chipping Barnett should not
entertain any such Vagrants for the futures; & that if Middx Constables did leave any that
they should be forthwth conveyed to Mimes side of Barnett.

That the Constables of Chipping Barnett indeed doe observe the Order of Sessions for
the said Liberty, & the last Constable of Mimes side hath Pformed his part, but the prsent
Constable gave great disturbance, because (as he prtends) he knows not how he shall be
paid his Charges, altho severall Justices (by what I understand) had given him their
words that he should be reimbursed.

To lay this fered, I also sent him a Letter that I myself would reimburse him
(if they did not) upon certain Condicons therein mencoed (the Copy whereof is am [..]
till such time as the Justices mett to settle the same; but he not only refused those
Condicons, but abused me for my kind proffers telling me that that proposicon was
only to Saddle this matter upon him, wth (God knows my heart) was not the least in
my Thoughts.

And now (to mend the matter) he conveys them to Phillips a Constable of Redge-
Parish who lives about Two Miles from Ridge Town, & a considerable way out of the
Maine Roade; whereas according to the Letter of the Statute made the 12th. of Queen
Ann he should convey them to Ridge Town, where is a proper Officer to receive
them; Nay, severall have been sent to Phillips from Southmimes Town wth is above
Two Miles back again.

So that as this affair is managed there are no less than four Shiftings & Reliefs in
four Miles Space; twice in the Liberty, once in Middx & once in the County of Hertford, wch
is a Shame, & contrary to the design of the Statute.

May it please yor. Worps!

I know no way to redress this Grievance, but that the Court
would be pleased to accept of my proposicon pursuant to the first
Order of the Liberty Justices at Christmas Sessions 1715. a Copy whereas
is annext, upon wch yor. Order of Reference is grounded, wch did not
answer the design, & wch is also annext, as is likewise the Last Order
made at St. Albans.

Or else that yor. Worps would be pleased to transfer yor. Established
of forty pounds P Ann from Southmimes Constable to me; & (altho [..]
think it is a very Scanty Allowance) I will undertake to convey them
from St. Albans to Barnett wthout halting at Mimes, & from Barnett
through Middx wch way soever their Passes direct them whether
upwards or downwards wthout putting yor. County to any further
Charge or trouble about it. This (if yor. Worps please to intrust
me wth) I hope to manage to yor. Satisfaccon & Content, & submitt it
wholly to the Judgment of the Court, who am wth all Submission

And if yor. Worps please to order it to be paid
Quarterly, I dare undertake to convey them from
London to Barnett too at 18d. phead.

Yor. Worps

Most Obedt. Servt.
Tho: Richards< no role > .

ex
See the Copie of ye Orders & Letter on the backsides