and another not, he will be foone richer than his fellowes. As for example, if one Draper may use tenters, because he is in fee with an Informer, and others not, he will foon outstrip the good tradesman that keeps the law.

And if it be thought strange that any man should feek his peace by one Informer, when he lyeth open to all; the experience is otherwise: for one informer will beare with the friend of another, looking for the like measure. And besides they have devises to get priority of information, and to put in an information, de bene effe, to prevent others, and to protect their penfioners. And if it be faid this is a pillory matter to the Informer, and therefore he will not attempt it; although therein the statute is a little doubtfull: yet if hanging will not keep thieves from stealing, it is not pillory will keep Informers from polling.

man to overlook Informers, these things are easily difcovered: for let him but look who they be that the Informer calls in question, and hearken who are of the same trade in the same place and are spared, and it will be easy to trace a bargain.

In this case, having difcovered the abuse, he ought to informe the Barons of the Exchequer, and the King's learned Counsel, that by the Star-chamber, or otherwise such taxers of the King's subjects may be punished.

one information, he wil an hundred feveral ful of this information. one shall take out c and every one shall I his several anfwer. will cost perhaps a hu marks: that done, r ther proceeding. L Clerks have their fee the Informer hath h dend for bringing t ter to the mylne.

It is to be noted.
this vexation is no:
with by any ftatute.
is no composition, but
continuance; and in
cafe there is no penalty,
costs: and the poor ful
will never fue for his co
least it awake the Inform
to revive his informati
and so it scapeth clearly.
2. Informers receive pe

sions of divers perfons
forbear them. And this

commonly of principal 01 fenders, and of the wealthi eft fort of tradesmen. for if one tradesman may prefume to breake the law,

an

:一

And herein Sir Stephen addeth a notable circumstance: that they will peruse a trade, as of Brewers or Victuallers, and if any stand out, and will not be in fee, they will find means to have a dozen informations come upon him at

once.

3. The subject is often for the fame offence vexed by several informations: sometimes the one Informer not knowing of the other; and often by confederacy to weary the party with charge: Upon every of which goeth process, and of every of them he must take copies, and make anfwers, and so relieve himself by motion of the Court if he can; all which multiplieth charge and trou

3. The Officer keeping a book of all the informations put in, with a brief note of the matter, may be made acquainted with all informations to come in : and if he finde a precedent for the fame cause, he may inform fome of the Barons, that by their order the receiving of the later may be stayed without any charge to the party at all; so as it appear by the due prosecution of the former, that it is not a suite by collufion to protect the party.

Concerning The Abuses or Inconveniencies.

1. After an information is exhibited and answered, (for so the statute requires) the Informer for the most part groweth to compofition with the Defendant: which he cannot do without peril of the statute, except he have licence from the Court; which licence he ought to return by order, and course of the Court, together with a declaration upon his oath of the true summe that he takes for the compofition. Upon which licence so returned, the Court is to taxe a fyne for the King.

This ought to be, but as it is now used, the licence is feldom returned. And although it contain a clause that the licence shall be void, if it be not duely re

The Remedies.

1. The Officer in this point is to perform his greatest service to the King, in folliciting for the King in such fort as licences be duely returned, the deceipts of these fraudulent compofitions difcovered, and fynes may be fet for the King in some good proportion, having respect to the values both of the matter and the person: for the King's fines are not to be delivered, as moneys given by the party ad redimendam vexationem, but as moneys given, ad redimendam culpam & pœnam legis; and ought to be in such quantity, as may not make the lawes altogether trampled down ជ contemned. Therefore the Officer ought made acquain