Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 10.djvu/509

 11 S. X. DEC. -26, 1914.1

NOTES AND QUERIES.

503

p -icrvac'ons as herew"' Wee send you: Wherein Wee are mor p'ticuler both in the afirmatiue and (! Xegatiue, To the End, yt as, on the one Side, \\V<> would haue nothing passe vs to remain vpon Record, (w ch either for the Forme might not become vs, or for the Substance might Crosse our many Proclamations pursued w th so good success) for buyldings on the other Side might giue them cause to ymportune vs after they had ben at Charges, To which End, Wee wish that you call them before you, and let them knowe our Pleasure and Resoluc'on therein, Giuen vnder our Signett at our Honour of Hampton Court the 29 th of September in the 18 th yeare of our Raigne of Great Britaine FFrance <fc Ireland.

G. E. P. A.

THE LITERARY FRAUDS OF HENRY WALKER THE IRONMONGER.

(See ante, pp. 441, 462, 483.)

8. " A MOTION PROPOUNDED .... FOR RE- DRESSE OF THE PUBLIQTJE GRIEVANCES. BY NEH LAWKERRY."

" LAWKERRY, NEHEMIAH," has attained the dignity of a separate entry in the British Museum and Thomason Catalogues, and this tract is entered to him. Neh (not Xehemiah) Lawkerry is simply an anagram of Henry Walker, and this conclusion is rendered certain by the fact that Ibbit- son, a printer, was the publisher of. this tract. Everything published (i.e., sold) by Ibbitson from 1648 to the Restoration, except in the rare case of an express state- ment to the contrary, was written or edited by Henry Walker. This fact affects many hundreds of tracts, for Ibbitson was the publisher of Walker's news-books (Perfect Occurrences and Several or Perfect Pro- ceedings), as well as of the numerous " relations " issued in connexion with them. The full title runs :

15 Jan., 1648. " A Motion propounded to the Committee of Parliament, for redresse of the publique grievances of the Kingdome. Desired to be taken into consideration before they present their reports to the House of Commons. For satisfaction of the Kingdome and setting the people in their just rights by a flrme and lasting peace. By Xeh Lawkerry. Janua. 15, 1647 [i.e., 1648]. Imprimatur Gilbert Mabbott. Printed nt London by Robert Ibbitson, neere the Queens Head Tavern. 1648."

9. THE ARMY'S 'Booic OF DECLARATIONS,'

1647.

This book is continually cited by Lilburne and other controversialists of the times, none of whom was aware (for reasons which will appear later on) who was its editor. The book contains 164 pages, with numerous

historical documents of very great import- ance, and, since it is handy for reference, it is highly important to point out that its authority is questionable, having regard to its editor's character and career.

The Historical Manuscripts Commission's Sixth Report, Appendix, p. 197 (' Calendar of the MSS. of the House of Lords '), con- tains the following summary :

"Sept. 27 (16 17). Petition of Henry Walker and Matthew Simmons. They have been at great charges in printing the papers from the Army of their declarations and desires, in one volume- They pray for an order for the publication thereof and that no one else shall reprint it. L. J. ix. 450."

In the ' Journals ' of the House of Lords (vol. ix. p. 450) there is the following order under the date of 27 Sept., 1647 :

" Ordered that Henry Walker and Mathew [Simmons omitted], having been at great charges in printing all the papers of the Army, in one volume, shall have the sole printing of them for one whole year from the date hereof, and none shall reprint the same during that time."

Simmons, of course, was the printer only. He is well known, and later on printed for Milton.

According to Thomason's note on his- copy, the ' Book of Declarations ' itself appeared on 2 Oct.. 1647. The British Museum press-mark for it is E. 409. (25.). An illustration of Fairfax and his officers sitting in council is prefixed, and the title- page runs as follows :

" A Declaration of the Engagements, Remon- strances, Representations, Proposals, Desires and Resolutions from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the generall cpuncell of the Army. For setting of his Majesty in his just rights, the Parliament in their just privileges and the subjects in their liberties and freedomes. With papers of Overtures of the Army with the King's Majesty, the Parliament, the Citie and with the souldiery among themselves. Also Representations of the grievances of the kingdome and remedies pro- pounded for the removing the present pressures whereby the subjects are burthened. And the Resolutions of the Army for the establishment of a firme and lasting peace in Church and King- dome.

" Die Lunae 27 Septembris, 1647. Whereas Math. Simmons hath beene at great charges in printing the Declarations and Papers from the Army, in one Volume. It is ordered by the Lords in Parliament assembled that the said Math. Simmons shall have the printing and pub- lishing thereof for the space of one whole yeare from (lie date hereof. And that none other shall reprint the same during that time. John Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum. London. Printed by Matthew Simmons in Aldersgate Street. 1647."

It will be noticed that in this printed copy of the order Henry Walker's name is omitted, though it appears both in the petition and