A MORE APT, COMODIOUS, AND BENEFICIALL MEANES FOR AND CONCERNING THE FRAMING, CONTRIVING, AND MAKING OF LOCKS, SLUCES, BRIDGES, CUTTE, CRANES, MILLE, DAMES, AND OTHER INVENCONS AND ADDICONS MOST FITT, NECESSARY, AND CON- VENIENT FOR GRINDING OF CORNE, RAISING OF WATER, MAKING OF RIVERS, STREAMS, AND WATERS NAVIGABLE AND PASSABLE FOR BOATES, KEELES, AND OTHER VESSEL TO PASSE FROM PLACE TO PLACE
Year: 1617

page_text: WHEREAS our welbeloved subicct Jolin Gason, Esquier, by and through
his great paines, travaile, charge, and industrie, for the generall good and
benefitt of this our comon wcale, hath attained to the skill, knowledge, and
pfeccon of "A MORE APT, COMODIOUS, AND BENEFICIALL MEANES FOR AND CONCERNING
THE FRAMING, CONTRIVING, AND MAKING OF LOCKS, SLUCES, BRIDGES, CUTTE, CRANES,
MILLE, DAMES, AND OTHER INVENCONS AND ADDICONS MOST FITT, NECESSARY, AND CON-
VENIENT FOR GRINDING OF CORNE, RAISING OF WATER, MAKING OF RIVERS, STREAMS,
AND WATERS NAVIGABLE AND PASSABLE FOR BOATES, KEELES, AND OTHER VESSEL TO
PASSE FROM PLACE TO PLACE," not yet vsed within this our realmes and domi-
nions, neither hath the like thereof by any others bin practised, putt in vsc, or
devised within our said dominions, the vse whereof wee have no doubt but
will redound to the great and generall good of vs and all our loving subiect(
(a service to vs acceptable and well approved), which as wee are informed by
the humble petition of our said subiect is greatlie wanting and much required.
Forasmuch as our said subiect is the first ppounder, piector, inventor, devisor,
and publisher of the same, the effecting, vse, practise, and putting in
execucon whereof requireth greate paines, charge, care, and expence, which
our said subiect intendeth to vndergoe, for the better enabling and incouraging
of our said subicct in prformance of the misses, wee have thought meete and
necessarie that he should have to himselfo such benefitt, profitt, and advan-
tage for the terme of twentic and one yeres next coming after tho
date hereof as shall happen to be raysed, had, gained, made, or gotten by

page_text: the vse, knowledge, excise, and incanes of such engines, instrumente, toolcs,
invenĉons, plotte and addicon of instrumente; engines, toolcs, and plotte
whatsoever, as for the purpose or intent aforesaid now have ben or shalbe
framed, made, devised, plotted, piected, or invented by our said subiect,
his executors, administratore, or assignes, or by any other, by his or their
meanes, cause, appointment, or assignement during the said terme. And that
noc pson or psons within our said dominions shall presume, attempt, practise,
or goc about, directlio or indirectlic, by any waics or meanes whatsoever, device,
devices, or meanes, to make, vse, excise, or practise the same or like engines,
instrument, tooles, inuenčons, device, devices, plotte by our said subicct already
practised, invented, devised, putt in vse, plotted, or contrived for the purpose
aforesaid, and not already known, vsed, and practised by other our subiecte, and
which at any tyme or tymes hereafter during the said terme shalbe by him,
his executors, servante, assignee, assignes, or any other, by his, their, or
any of their meanes, cause, or appointment, shalbe newly plotted, devised,
practised, invented, or putt in vsc as aforesaid, together alsoc with all
such benefitt, profitt, scom, somes of mony, and advantage whatsoever as
by any waies or meanes shalbo raised, gayned, gotten, and which may arise,
come, growe, or bo had by reason or meanes of the misses, or any part
thereof, in any manner wise; and if any manner of river, cutt, lock, mill,
mill dame, dames, water, watercourse, bridge, streame, or ditch, now cutt or
hereafter to be cutt, made, pared,. builded, contrived, or invented by our
subicct, or by any other by or through his meanes, cause, consent, or
appointment.
NOWE KNOWE YEE, that wec, of our especiall grace, meere močon,
and certaine knowledge, have given and graunted, and by theis psente doc for
vs, our heires and successors, for as much as in vs is, give and graunte full,
free, and absolute lycense, power, authoritic, and priviledge vnto the said John
Gason, his executore, administrators, deputie, deputies, assignees, and all and
every such other pson and psons as shall from tyme to tyme be by him or
them lycensed, authorised, or appointed, that he, they, overy or anic of them,
their, every and any of their executors, administrators, deputie, deputies,
assignee or assignes, shall and may to his and their ownc pper vse, benefitt,
and behoofc, in, by, and throughout anic of our countries, shires, cittics,
townes, liberties, mannors, land, ground, rivers, streams, waters, comons,
wood, wayes, place and places whatsoever and wheresoever within this our
realme of England, dominion or principalitie of Wales, and towne of
Barwick, in places meete and convenient, from tyme to time and at all.
tymes hereafter, during the terme and space of twentic and one yeres next.

page_text: ensuing the date hereof, devise, make, cutt, direct, finish, pfect, excise, prac-
tisc, putt in vsc and vsc, aswell the cutting, contriving, framing, erecting,
setting vpp, pfecting and making of all and all manner of locke, sluces, bridges,
cutte, cranes, mill dames, and other invenĉons not repugnant to the lawes and
statute of this our realme and dominions, for grinding of corne, raysing of waters,
making of ryvers, waters, and streames navigable and passable, as alsoe to vse,
excise, pfect, make, and invent all and all manner of engines, tooles, instru-
mente, and addicon of toole, tooles, invenčon or invenĉons whatsoever, as to
him or them shall be thought most apt, meete, and convenient for tho pfecting
and pforming of the pmisses, and everic or any part thercof. And further,
of our espiall grace, certen knowledge, and meere moton, wee doc, likewise for
vs, our heires and successore, give and graunte vnto our said subicct, the said
John Gason, his executors, administrators, assignes, deputie and deputies
whatsoever, not onclic our free, full, and absolute power, licence, priviledge, and
authoritic, to take, receave, collect, and gather to his and their ownc pper vse all
and all manner of contribucon, composicon, advantage, and comoditic whatsoever
which shall at any tyme or tymes hereafter during the said terme be by any of our
loving subicct whatsoever graunted, allowed, agreed vpon, consented to payc, con-
tributed, levied, or thought meete to be paid, allowed, or given for, towarde, in
lien, or respect of the making, framcing, devising, contriving, cutting, erecting,
building, setting vpp, pfecting, or inventing of anic mille, cranes, sluces, waters,
watercourses, dimes, lock vppon water or wharfes, bridges, cutte, and other
invencon or invenĉons and addicon of inuencon or inucncons whatsoever, to be
invented, made, erected, cutt, pfected, sett vpp, framed, or devised by our
said subicct, his exccutors, administrators, servante, deputie, deputies, assignco
or assignes, or any other pson or psons, by his or their meanes, charges, cause,
peurement, inventon, or device, to the intent and purposes aforesaid, within
and vppon any mannors, lande, woode, streames, waters, rivers, place or places
whatsoever, within our said realme and dominion or principality of Wales
and towne of Barwick, without the lett, hindrance, molestacon, contradicon,
impediment or interrupcon of vs, our heires or successors, or any other pson
or psons by our meanes, and without any accompt or other thing to be
rendred to vs, our heires or successors for the same (other than as bereafter in
theise prente is menconed and expressed), but alsoc to have, take, receave,
pecave, hold, & enioye all and all manner of profitt, cömodities, benefitt,
advantage and priviledge whatsoever which by anie waies or meanes shall
arrise, accruc, come, growe, he had, made, or gotten, as well by reason, force,
or meanes of anie vessell, boate, lighter, keele, wherry, or barke whatsoever
which shall or may at any tyme or tynes passe, come, ride, anker, lye, rest.

page_text: or sayle in, vppon, at, to or fro any the rivers, cutte, passages, streames or waters
soc to be cutt, made navigable, or pfected as aforesaid; as alsoc of any bridge,
bridges, sluce, sluces, mill, mille, dame, dames, and all and singuler other the
Pmisses aforesaid, and every or any of them, and of everic or any part or
parcell thereof in any manner wise, without any of our lett, deniall, con-
tradicon, or impediment whatsoever, or without rendring, yielding, or delivering
of any manner of accompt or accompte, payment or other thing for the same,
(other then as hereafter in theise psente is lymited and expressed). And for that
wee doe well knowe that the effecting and pfecting of the misses will amount
to a veric great charge to our said subiect, (the same tending to doc generall
a good,) wcc thinke it not meete that anic other taking light or direccon of his
picet, labour, travell, and charge, should take benefitt by vsing of the same or
the like, to the lossc, hurt, or hindrance of our said subicct, wec, therefore,
being willing to encourage our said subiect in soc good a worke, and mynding
alsoc that he may have the benefitt of the same for the terme abovesaid, doe
therefore by theise sente will and straightlic comaund and phibite that
noc pson or psons whatsoever, of what degree, qualitic, or condicon he or
they be or shalbe, at any lyme or tymes hereafter (other then the said John
Gason, his executors, administrators, or assignes, servante, factors, deputic
or deputies, or such as shalbe by him or them lycensed or appointed,
or which shall give contentment or agreement to him, them, some or
one of them, attempt, practise, psume, or goc about, by any way, device,
or meanes, directlic or indirectlic, to passe, sayle, ride, goe, remaine
to, at, vppon, in, by, or from any the rivers, streames, water, sluces, cutte, or
dames soc to be cutt, made navigable, pfected, or done by the said John
Gason, his executor, administrators, or assignes, deputic or deputies as
aforesaid, or interneddle, deale, excise, practise, vsc, occupic, make, build,
sett vpp, finishe, or putt in vsc, in, at, or vppon the same or any other place
or places within this our said realme or dominions and towne aforesaid any
manner of mill, mille, sluce, sluces, lock, locke, bridge, bridges, engine or
engines, such or the like as by our said subicct, his exccutore or assignes,
deputic or deputies, or any other by his, their, or any of their meanes, have
ben first invented, piected, or sett vpp, or whereof they, every, or any of them
shall hereafter first finde, picct, practise, or putt in vse during the said terme
of twentic and one yeres, nor any of the tooles, plotte, invenĉons, instrument(,
or addicon of toolcs, inventons, instrumente, boates, keeles, barkes, wherries,
or other vessell whatsoever first by them, everie, or any of them devised,
invented, or putt in vsc, or to be devised, invented, or putt in vse during the
terme aforesaid, without the lycense of the said John Gason, his executors,

page_text: administrators, or servante, deputic or deputies, assignee or assignes, thereunto
first had and obtained, vppon paine and pill not onclic of our high displeasure
and the displeasures of our heires and successors, but alsoc of the forfeiture of
all and every such boate, vessel, wherry, mill, sluce, locke, bridge, engine,
toole, instrument, invencon, and device soc erected, made, sett vpp, or putt in
vsc, contrario to this our truo meaning, and the meaning of theise psente in
any manner wise. Provided alwaies, and our expresse minde and will is,
that he, the said John Gason, his excutors, administrators, servant, deputic,
deputies, assignee or assignes, shall not by cullor of theise Pesente psume nor
be soc bold as to make, attempt, or cause to be made any cutt, river, water,
watercourse, mill dame, crane, bridge, streame, or current whatsoever, in or
vpon any of the lande, grounde, woodes, or waters of vs, our heires or successors,
or any of our said subiccte in any place or places whatsoever, but where the
same may convenientlic be pfected pformed, made, and donc, to the least
detriment of vs and of all and every of our said subicct, and not in or
vppon anic of the lande, tenemente, wood, waters, or groundes of vs, our
heires or successors, or of any of our said subiccte, but first compounding
and agreeing with vs, our heires and successors, or with the owner and
owners of the misses for such and soo much of the samo as he, they, every
or any of them, shall have needeful cause of imployment for the snid intent
and purposes before declared. And the said John Gason, his executors
and assignes, shall further, att his and their owne cost and charges, make,
erect, and maintaine convenient and good bridges over the rivers and waters,
streames, slices, cutte, and places, by him or them soc cutt and to be cutt.
vsed, compounded for, or imployed. And as our desire is that this our
graunte may have due execucon and peceding according to the good purpose
aforesaid, and for avoyding of many inconveniences which may befall, to the
lett of the same, by the obstinacy of some evil disposed psons, therefore our
will and pleasure is, and wec doc ordaine, that noe pson or psons whatsoever,
owner or owners or possessors of anic mannor, lande, wood, or waste whatsoever,
where our said subicct John Gason, his executors, administrators, servant,
deputie, deputies, assignee, or assignes, shall have necessary occasion to
compound for or in respect of the misses Psume to refuse a reasonable
composicon for such trespas or damage, as he, they, or any of them shall
receave or sustaine in lieu of the misses or anic thing touching the same,
or anie part thereof, in any manuer wise, nor contradict, gainesay, or resist
our said subiect, his executors, administrators, servante, laborers, deputie or
deputies, with his, their, or anie of their carte, waynes, horses, teames, and
carriages whatsoever, offering and giving reasonable composicons as aforesaid,

page_text: in pformimg, pfecting, making, cutting, doing, and erecting of the said cranes,
engines, mille, sluces, cutte and other the misses aforesaid, vppon paine of
our high displeasure to be encurred for the contempt of our royall will in
that behalfe. And further, wec doc by theise psente straightlic charge and
comaunde all sheriffe, justices, maiors, bayliffe, constables, and other our
officers and ministers whatsoever to whomo it shall appertaine, that they,
every and
any of them, be from tyme to tyme ayding and assisting vnto our
said subicct John Gason, his executors, administrators, servante, laborers,
deputie, deputies, assignee, and assignes, in the doing, executing, pforming,
and finishing of all and singuler the composicons, orders, and agreement(
aforesaid, and of all and singuler other the misses aforesaid, and every part
thereof, according to the purpose, effect, and true meaning of theis psente,
soc farr forth as to them, every or anic of them, shall and may belong or
apptaine in anywise during the said terme, to have, hold, vsc, ex'cise, enioye,
receave, pecave, practise, and pforme all, every, and any the licences, powers,
priviledges, authorities, tooles, engines, instrumente, proffitte, benefitte, anuall
payment, colleccons, some and sōmes of monic and other advantages what-
soever, before in theise sente given, graunted, or appointed, or meant or
menconed to be given, graunted, or appointed, assigned, licenced, or authorized
vnto our said subicct John Gason, his executors, administrators, assignee and
assignes, deputic and deputies, and to all and every and any of them, from
the date of theis sente, vnto the end and terme of one and twentic yeres
from thence next ensuing fully to be compleate and ended, to his and their
own per vsc, benefitt, behoofe, and advantage, yielding and paying therefore
ycarelic vnto vs, our heires and successors att the receipt of the exchequer of
vs, our heires and successors, at Westfi, during the said terme, the yerelic
rent or farme of fortic shilling of lawfull mony of England at the
feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Michaell
the Archangell, or within one, and twentie dayes next after either of the
said feast, yerelic by even and equall porcons. And wee are further
pleased and doc, for vs, our heires and successors, of our special grace
and favour, graunte to the said John Gason, his executors, administrators, and
assignes, that theis our Lies Patente shalbe taken, construed, and adiudged
in all and every our courte of justice to be most availeable for the said John
Gason, his executors, administrators, and assignes, against vs, our heires and
successors, notwithstanding the not describing the certentic of the forme or
fashion of engines, instrument, or devices to be vsed for and about the misses,
and notwithstanding any other devices and incertenties in the same, or anie
statute, provision, pelanacon, restraint, cause, matter, or thinge to the con-

page_text: trary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding. Provided alwaies, that if at any
time hereafter, vppon the examinacon had and taken by or before any six or
more of our Privic Councell (the said John Gason, his executors or assignes,
being therevnto called, they shall declare in writing vnder their hand that
theise our Lics Patente of priviledge are or shalbe found inconvenient to this
our realme, that then vpon significacon of our will and pleasure, given and
published by vs vnder our signe manuell, signett, or privic scale, for the
revoking and demining of theise sente, theis our Lřes Patent of priviledge
shall forthwith and ymediately cease, determyne, and be vtterly void, frustrate,
and of nono effect, any thing therein contayned to the contrary thereof in
anywise notwithstanding.
In witnes whereof. &c. Witnes ourselfe at Westminster the One and

page_text: JAMES, by the Grace of God, &c., to all to whome theise p'sent shall cʊmo
greeting.
WHEREAS our welbeloved subicct John Gason, Esquier, by and through
his great paines, travaile, charge, and industrie, for the generall good and
benefitt of this our comon weale, hath attained to the skill, knowledge, and
pfeccon of "A HOPE AFT, COMODIOUS, AND BENEFICIALL MEANES FOR AND CONCERNING
THE FRAMING, CONTRIVING. AND MAKING OF LOCKS, SLUCES, BRIDGES, CUTTE, CRANES,
MILLE, DAMES, AND OTHER INVENCONS AND ADDICONS MOST FITT, NECESSARY, AND CON-
VENIENT FOR GRINDING OF CORNE, RAISING OF WATER, MAKING OF RIVERS, STREAMS,
AND WATGES NAVIGABLE AND PASSABLE FOR BOATES, KEELES, AND OTHER VESSEL TO
PASSE FROM PLACE TO PLACE," not yet vsed within this our realmes and domi-
nions, neither hath the like thereof by any others bin practised, putt in vse, or
devised within our said dominions, the vse whercof wee have no doubt but
will redound to the great and generall good of vs and all our loving subiect
(a service to vs acceptable and well approved), which as wee are informed by
the humble petition of our said subiect is greatlie wanting and much required.
Forasmuch as our said subiect is the first ppounder, piector, inventor, devisor,
and publisher of the same, the effecting, vse, practise, and putting in
execucon whereof requireth greate paines, charge, care, and expence, which
our said subicct intendeth to vndergoe, for the better enabling and incouraging
of our said subiect in prformance of the misses, wee have thought meete and
necessarie that he should have to himselfe such benefitt, profitt, and advan-
tage for the terme of twentie and one yeres next coming after tho
date hereof as shall happen to be raysed, had, gained, made, or gotten by

page_text: the vse, knowledge, excise, and meanes of such engines, instrumente, tooles,
inventons, plotte and addicon of instrumente, engines, tooles, and plotte
whatsoever, as for the purpose or intent aforesaid now have ben or shalbe
framed, made, devised, plotted, piccted, or invented by our said subiect,
his executors, administratore, or assignes, or by any other, by his or their
meanes, cause, appointment, or assignement during the said terme. And that
noc pson or psons within our said dominions shall presume, attempt, practise,
or goe about, directlic or indirectlie, by any waies or meanes whatsoever, device,
devices, or meanes, to make, vse, excise, or practise the same or like engines,
instrument, tooles, inuentons, device, devices, plotte by our said subiect already
practised, invented, devised. putt in vse, plotted, or contrived for the purpose
aforesaid, and not already known, vsed, and practised by other our subiecte, and
which at any tyme or tymes hereafter during the said terme shalbe by him,
his executors, servante, assignee, assignes, or any other, by his, their, or
any of their meanes, cause, or appointment, shalbe newly plotted, devised,
practised, invented, or putt in vse as aforesaid, together alsoc with all
such benefit, profitt, scom, somes of mony, and advantage whatsoever as
by any waies or meanes shalbe raised. gayned, gotten, and which may arise,
come, growe, or be had by reason or meanes of the misses, or any part
thereof, in any manner wise; and if any manner of river, cutt, lock, mill,
mill dame, dames, water, watercourse, bridge, streame, or ditch, now cutt or
hereafter to be cutt, made, pared, builded, contrived, or invented by our
subiect, or by any other by or through his meanes, cause. consent, or
appointment.
NOWE KNOWE YEE, that wec, of our especiall grace, meere mocon,
and certaine knowledge, have given and graunted, and by theis sente doc for
vs, our heires and successors, for as much as in vs is, give and graunte full,
free, and absolute lycense, power, authoritic, and priviledge vnto the said John
Gason, his executore, administrators, deputie, deputies, assignees, and all and
every such other pson and psons as shall from tyme to tyme bo by him or
them fycensed, authorised, or appointed, that he, they, every or anie of them,
their, every and any of their executors, administrators, deputie, deputies,
assignee or assignes, shall and may to his and their ownc pper vse, benefitt,
and behoofe, in. by, and throughout anic of our countries, shires, citties,
townes. liberties, mannors, land, ground, rivers, streams, waters, comons,
wood, wayes, place and places whatsoever and wheresoever within this our
realme of England, dominion or principalitie of Wales, and towne of
Barwick, in places meete and convenient, from tyme to time and at all.
tymes hereafter, during the terme and space of twentie and one yeres next.

page_text: ensuing the date hereof, devise, make, cutt, direct, finish, pfect, excise, prac-
tisc. putt in vsc and vse, aswell the cutting, contriving. framing, erecting,
setting vpp. pfecting and making of all and all manner of lockt', sluces, bridges,
cutt, cranes, mill dames, and other invencons not repugnant to the lawes and
statute of this our realme and dominions, for grinding of corne, raysing of waters,
making of ryvers, waters. and streames navigable and passable, as alsoe to vse,
excise, pfect, make, and invent all and all manner of engines, tooles, instru-
mente, and addicon of toole, tooles, invenčon or invenčons whatsoever, as to
him or them shall be thought most apt. meete, and convenient for the pfecting
and pforming of the pmisses, and everic or any part thereof. And further,
of our esjiiall grace, certen knowledge, and meere močon, wee doc, likewise for
vs, our heires and successore, give and graunte vnto our said subiect, the said
John Gason. bis exccutors, administrators, assignes, deputic and deputies
whatsoever, not onelie our free, full, and absolute power, licence, priviledge, and
authoritie, to take, receave, collect, and gather to his and their owne pper vse all
and all manner of contributon, composicon. advantage, and comoditic whatsoever
which shall at any tyme or tymes hereafter during the said terme be by any of our
loving subiecte whatsoever graunted, allowed, agreed upon.consented to paye, con-
tributed. levied, or thought meete to be paid, allowed, or given for, towarde, in
lieu, or respect of the making, frameing, devising. contriving, cutting, erecting,
building, setting spp. pfecting, or inventing of anic mille, cranes, sluces, waters,
watercourses, dames, lock vppon water or wharfes, bridges, cutte, and other
invencon or invenčons and addicon of inuencon or inuenĉons whatsoever, to be
invented, made, erected, cutt, pfected, sett vpp, framed, or devised by our
said subicct, his executors, administrators, servante, deputie, deputies, assignee
or assignes, or any other pson or psons, by his or their meanes, charges, cause,
pcurement, inventon, or device, to the intent and purposes aforesaid, within
and vppon any mannors, lande, woode, streames, waters, rivers, place or places
whatsoever, within our said realme and dominion or principality of Wales
and towne of Barwick, without the lett, hindrance, molestacon, contradicon,
impediment or interrupcon of vs, our heires or successors, or any other pson
or psons by our meanes, and without any accompt or other thing to be
rendred to vs, our licires or successors for the same (other than as bereafter in
theise sente is menconed and expressed), but alsoe to have, take, receave,
pecave, hold, & enioye all and all manner of profitt, cömodities, benefitt,
advantage and priviledge whatsoever which by anie waics or meanes shall
arrise, accrue, come, growe, be had, made, or gotten, as well by reason, force,
or meanes of anie vessell, boate, lighter, keele, wherry, or barke whatsoever
which shall or may at any tyme or tymes passe, come, ride, anker, lye, rest,

page_text: or sayle in, yppon, at, to or fro any the rivers, cutte, passages, streames or waters
soc to be cutt, made navigable, or pfected as aforesaid; as alsoe of any bridge,
bridges, sluce, sluces, mill, mille, dame, dames, and all and singuler other the
misses aforesaid, and every or any of them, and of everic or any part or
parcel thereof in any manner wise, without any of our lett, deniall, con-
tradicon, or impediment whatsoever, or without rendring, yielding, or delivering
of any manner of accompt or accompte, payment or other thing for the same.
(other then as hereafter in theise sent is lymited and expressed). And for that
wee doe well knowe that the effecting and pfecting of the misses will amount
to a veric great charge to our said subiect, (the same tending to doe generall
a good.) wee thinke it not meete that anie other taking light or direccon of his
picct, labour, travell, and charge, should take benefitt by vsing of the same or
the like, to the losse, hurt, or hindrance of our said subicct. wec, therefore,
being willing to encourage our said subiect in soc good a worke, and mynding
alsoc that he may have the benefitt of the same for the terme abovesaid, doe
therefore by theise sente will and straightlie comaund and phibite that
noe pson or psons whatsoever, of what degree, qualitie, or condicon he or
they be or shalbe, at any tyme or tymes hereafter (other then the said John
Gason, his executors, administrators, or assignes, servante, factors, deputic
or deputies, or such as shalbe by him or them lycensed or appointed.
or which shall give contentment or agreement to him, them, some or
one of them. attempt. practise, Psume, or goc about, by any way, device,
ог
meanes. directie or indirectlic, to passe, sayle, ride, goe, remaine
to, at, vppon, in, by, or from any the rivers, streames, water, sluces, cutte, or
imes soe to be cutt, made navigable, pfected, or done by the said John
Gason. his executor, administrators, or assignes, deputic or deputies as
aforesaid, or intermeddle, deale, excise, practise, vse, occupie, make, build,
sett vpp, finishe, or putt in vse, in, at, or vppon the same or any other place
or places within this our said realme or dominions and towne aforesaid any
manner of mill, mille, sluce, sluces, lock, locke, bridge, bridges, engine or
engines, such or the like as by our said subicct, his executore or assignes,
deputic or deputies, or any other by his, their, or any of their meanes, have
ben first invented, piccted, or sett vpp. or whereof they, every, or any of them
shall hereafter first finde, piect, practise, or putt in vse during the said terme
of twentic and one yeres, nor any of the tooles, plotte, invenĉons, instrumente,
or addicon of tooles, inventons, instrumente, boates, keeles, barkes, wherries,
or other vessell whatsoever first by them, everie, or any of them devised,
invented, or putt in vse, or to be devised, invented, or putt in vse during the
terme aforesaid, without the lycense of the said John Gason, his executors,

page_text: administrators, or servante, deputic or deputies, assignee or assignes, thereunto
first had and obtained, sppon paine and pill not onelie of our high displeasure
and the displeasures of our heires and successors, but alsoc of the forfeiture of
all and every such boate, vessel, wherry, mill, sluce, locke, bridge, engine,
toole, instrument, invenčon, and device soe erected, made, sett vpp. or putt in
vsc, contrarie to this our true meaning, and the meaning of theise sente in
any manner wise. Provided alwaies, and our expresse mine and will is,
that he, the said John Gason, his excutors, administrators, servante, deputie,
deputies, assignce or assignes, shall not by cullor of theise Pesente psume nor
be soc bold as to make, attempt, or cause to be made any cutt, river, water,
watercourse, mill dame, crane, bridge, streame, or current whatsoever, in or
vpon any of the lande, grounde. woodes, or waters of vs, our heires or successors.
or any of our said subiecte in any place or places whatsoever, but where the
same may convenientlie be pfected pformed, made, and done, to the least
detriment of vs and of all and every of our said subiect, and not in or
yppon anie of the lande, tenemente, woode, waters, or groundes of vs, our
heires or successors, or of any of our said subiecte, but first compounding
and agreeing with vs, our heires and successors, or with the owner and
owners of the misses for such and soc much of the same as he, they, every
or any of them, shall have needeful cause of imployment for the said intent
and purposes before declared. And the said John Gason. his executors
and assignes, shall further, att his and their owne cost and charges, make,
erect, and maintaine convenient and good bridges over the rivers and waters,
streames. slices, cutte, and places, by him or them soc cutt and to be cutt.
vsed. compounded for, or imployed. And as our desire is that this our
graunte may have due exccucon and peceding according to the good purpose
aforesaid, and for avoyding of many inconveniences which may befall, to the
lett of the same, by the obstinacy of some evil disposed psons, therefore our
will and pleasure is, and wec doc ordaine, that noc pson or psons whatsoever.
owner or owners or possessors of anic mannor, lande, woode, or waste whatsoever,
where our said subiect John Gason, his executors, administrators, servant(',
deputie, deputies, assignee, or assignes, shall have necessary occasion to
compound for or in respect of the Pinisses Psume to refuse a reasonable
composicon for such trespas or damage, as he, they, or any of them shall
receave or sustaine in lieu of the misses or anic thing touching the same,
or anie part thereof, in any manner wise, nor contradict, gainesay, or resist
our said subiect, his executors, administrators, servant, laborers, deputie or
deputies, with his, their, or anie of their carte. waynes, horses, teames, and
carriages whatsoever, offering and giving reasonable composicons as aforesaid,

page_text: in pformimg, pfecting, making, cutting, doing, and erecting of the said cranes
engines, mille, sluces, cutte and other the misses aforesaid, vppon paine o
our high displeasure to be encurred for the contempt of our royall will in
that behalfe. And further, wee doe by theise psente straightlic charge and
comaunde all sheriffe, justices, maiors, bayliffe, constables, and other our
officers and ministers whatsoever to whome it shall appertaine, that they
every and any of them, be from tyme to tyme ayding and assisting vnto our
said subiect John Gason, his executors, administrators, servante, laborers,
deputic, deputies, assignee, and assignes, in the doing, executing, pforming,
and finishing of all and singuler the composicons, orders, and agreement
aforesaid, and of all and singuler other the misses aforesaid, and every part
thereof, according to the purpose, effect, and true meaning of theis sente
soc farr forth as to them. every or anic of them, shall and may belong or
apptaine in anywise during the said terme, to have, hold, vsc, ex'cise, enioye,
receave, pecave, practise, and pforine all, every,
and any
the licences, powers,
priviledges, authorities, tooles, engines, instrumente, proffitte, benefitte, anuall
paymente, collectons, some and soines of monic and other advantages what-
socver, before in theise sente given, graunted, or appointed, or meant or
menconed to be given, graunted, or appointed, assigned, licenced, or authorized
vnto our said subiect John Gason, his executors, administrators, assignee and
assignes, deputie and 'deputics, and to all and every and any of them, from
the date of theis sent C, vnto the end and terme of one and twentic yeres
from thence next ensuing fully to be compleate and ended, to his and their
own pper vse, benefitt, behoofe, and advantage, yielding and paying therefore
yearelic vnto vs, our heires and successors att the receipt of the exchequer of
vs, our heires and successors, at Westii, during the said terme, the yerelic
rent or farme of fortie shilling of lawfull mony of England at the
feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Michaell
the Archangell, or within one and twentic dayes next after either of the
said feast, yerelic by even and equall porcons. And wee are further
pleased and doc, for vs, our heires and successors, of our speciall grace
and favour, graunte to the said John Gason, his executors, administrators, and
assignes, that theis our Lies Patente shalbe taken, construed, and adiudged
in all and every our courte of justice to be most availeable for the said John
Gason, his executors, administrators, and assignes, against vs, our heires and
successors, notwithstanding the not describing the certentic of the forme or
fashion of engines, instrumente, or devices to be vsed for and about the misses,
and notwithstanding any other devices and incertenties in the same, or anie
statute, provision, pelanacon, restraint, cause, matter, or thinge to the con-

page_text: trary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding. Provided alwaics, that if at any
tine hereafter, vppon the examinacon had and taken by or before any six or
more of our Privic Councell (the said John Gason, his executors or assignes.
being therevnto called, they shall declare in writing vnder their hand that
theise our Lřes Patente of priviledge are or shalbe found inconvenient to this
our realme, that then vpon significaĉon of our will and pleasure, given and
published by vs vnder our signe manuell, signett, or privic scale, for the
revoking and delmining of theise sente, theis our Lies Patente of priviledge
shall forthwith and mediately cease, determiyne, and be vtterly void, frustrate,
and of none effect, any thing therein contayned to the contrary thereof in
anywise notwithstanding.
In witnes whereof, &c. Witnes ourselfe at Westminster, the One and
twentieth day of July.
Pbře de priuato sigillo, &c.

page_text: greeting.
WHEREAS our welbeloved subicct John Gason, Esquier, by and through
his great paines, travaile, charge, and industrie, for the generall good and
benefitt of this our comon weale, hath attained to the skill, knowledge, and
pfeccon of "A MORE APT, COMODIOUS, AND BENEFICIALL MEANES FOR AND CONCERNING
THE FRAMING, CONTRIVING, AND MAKING OF LOCKS, SLUCES, BRIDGES, CUTTE, CRANES,
MILLE, DAMES, AND OTHER INVENCONS AND ADDICONS MOST FITT, NECESSARY, AND CON-
VENIENT FOR GRINDING OF CORNE, RAISING OF WATER, MAKING OF RIVERS, STREAMS,
AND WATERS NAVIGABLE AND PASSABLE FOR BOATES, KEELES, AND OTHER VESSEL TO
PASSE FROM PLACE TO PLACE," not yet vsed within this our realmes and domi-
nions, neither hath the like thereof by any others bin practised, putt in vse, or
devised within our said dominions, the vse whereof wee have no doubt but
will redound to the great and generall good of vs and all our loving subiecte
(a service to vs acceptable and well approved), which as wee are informed by
the humble petition of our said subiect is greatlie wanting and much required.
Forasmuch as our said subiect is the first ppounder, piector, inventor, devisor,
and publisher of the same, the effecting, vsc, practise, and putting in
execucon whereof requireth greate paines, charge, care, and expence, which
our said subiect intendeth to vndergoe, for the better enabling and incouraging
of our said subiect in prformance of the misses, wee have thought meete and
necessarie that he should have to himselfe such benefitt, profitt, and advan-
tage for the terme of twentie and one yeres next coming after the
date hereof as shall happen to be raysed, had, gained, made, or gotten by

page_text: the vse, knowledge, excise, and meanes of such engines, instrumente, tooles,
invenčons, plotte and addicon of instrumente, engines, tooles, and plotte
whatsoever, as for the purpose or intent aforesaid now have ben or shalbe
framed, made, devised, plotted, piected, or invented by our said subiect,
his executors, administratore, or assignes, or by any other, by his or their
meanes, cause, appointment, or assignement during the said terme. And that
noc pson or psons within our said dominions shall presume, attempt, practise,
or goe about, directlic or indirectlic, by any waies or meanes whatsoever, device,
devices, or meanes, to make, vse, excise, or practise the same or like engines,
instrumente, tooles, inuenčons, device, devices, plotte by our said subiect already
practised, invented, devised, putt in vse, plotted, or contrived for the purpose
aforesaid, and not already known, vsed, and practised by other our subiecte, and
which at any tyme or tymes hereafter during the said terme shalbe by him,
his executors, servante, assignec, assignes, or any other, by his, their, or
any of their meanes, cause, or appointment, shalbe newly plotted, devised,
practised, invented, or putt in vsc as aforesaid, together alsoe with all
such benefitt, profitt, seom, soñes of mony, and advantage whatsoever as
by any waies or meanes shalbe raised, gayned, gotten, and which may arise,
come, growe, or be had by reason or meanes of the misses, or any part
thereof, in any manner wise; and if any manner of river, cutt, lock, mill,
mill dame, dames, water, watercourse, bridge, streame, or ditch, now cutt or
hereafter to be cutt, made, Ppared, builded, contrived, or invented by our
subicct, or by any other by or through his meanes, cause, consent, or
appointment.
NOWE KNOWE YEE, that wee, of our especiall grace, ineere močon,
and certaine knowledge, have given and graunted, and by theis psente doe for
vs, our heires and successors, for as much as in vs is, give and graunte full;
free, and absolute lycense, power, authoritie, and priviledge vnto the said John
Gason, his executore, administrators, deputie, deputies, assignees, and all and
every such other pson and psons as shall from tyme to tyme be by him or
them lycensed, authorised, or appointed, that he, they, every or anie of them,
their, every and any of their executors, administrators, deputie, deputies;
assignce or assignes, shall and may to his and their owne pper. vse, benefitt;
and behoofe, in, by, and throughout anic of our countries, shires, citties,
townes, liberties, mannors, land, ground, rivers, streams, waters, cōmons,
wood, wayes, place and places whatsoever and wheresoever within this our
realme of England, dominion or principalitie of Wales, and towne of
Barwick, in places meete and convenient, from tyme. to time and at all.
tymes hereafter, during the terme and space of twentic. and one yeres next,

page_text: ensuing the date hereof, devise, make, cutt, direct, finish, pfect, excise,, prac
tise, putt in vse and vse, aswell the cutting, contriving, framing, erecting,
setting vpp, pfecting and making of all and all manner of locke, sluces, bridges,
cutte, cranes, mill dames, and other invenčons not repugnant to the lawes and
statute of this our realme and dominions, for grinding of corne, raysing of waters,
making of ryvers, waters, and streames navigable and passable, as alsoe to vse,
excise, pfect, make, and invent all and all manner of engines, tooles, instru
mente, and addičon of toole, tooles, invenčon or invenčons whatsoever, as to
him or them shall be thought.most apt, meete, and convenient for the pfecting
and pforming of the pmisses, and everic or any part thereof. And further,
of our espiall grace, certen knowledge, and meere močon, wee doe, likewise for
vs, our heires and successore, give and graunte vnto our said subiect, the said
John Gason, his executors, administrators, assignes, deputie and deputies
whatsoever, not onelie our free, full, and absolute power, licence, priviledge, and
authoritie, to take, receave, collect, and gather to his and their owne pper vse all
and all manner of contribučon, composicon, advantage, and comoditie whatsoever
which shall at any tyme or tymes hereafter during the said terme be by any of our
loving subiecte whatsoever graunted, allowed, agreed vpon, consented to payo, con-
tributed, levied, or thought meete to be paid, allowed, or given for, towarde, in
lieu, or respect of the making, frameing, devising, contriving, cutting, erecting,
building, setting vpp, pfecting, or inventing of anie mille, cranes, sluces, waters,
watercourses, dames, locke vppon water or wharfes, bridges, cutte, and other
inventon or invenčons and addičon of inuenčon or inuenčons whatsoever, to be
invented, made, erected, cutt, pfected, sett vpp, framed, or devised by our
said subiect, his executors, administrators, servante, deputie, deputies, assignee
or 'assignes, or any other pson or psons, by his or their meanes, charges, cause,
peurement, invenčon, or device, to the intent and purposes aforesaid, within
and vppon any mannors, lande, woode, streames, waters, rivers, place or places
whatsoever, within our said realme and dominion or principality of Wales
and towne of Barwick, without the lett, hindrance, molestacon, contradicon,
impediment or interrupcon of vs. our heires or successors, or any other pson
or psons by our meanes, and without any accompt or other thing to be
rendred to vs, our heires or successors for the same (other than as hereafter in
theise sente is menconed and expressed), but alsoe to have, take, receave,
pecave, hold,,& enioye all and all manner of profitt, comodities, benefitt,
advantage and priviledge whatsoever which by anie waics or meanes shall
arrise, accruc, come, growe, be bad, made, or gotten, as well by reason, force,
or meanes of anie vessell, boate, lighter, keele, wherry, or barke whatsoever
which shall or may at any tyme or tymnes passe, come, ride, anker, lye, rest.

page_text: or sayle in, vppon, at, to or fro any the rivers, cutte, passages, streames or waters
soc to be cutt, made navigable, 01 pfected as aforesaid; as alsoc of any bridge,
bridges, sluce, sluces, mill, mille, dame, dames, and all and singuler other the
Pmisses aforesaid, and every or any of them, and of everic or any part or
parcell thereof in any manner wise, without any of our lett, deniall, con-
tradicon, or impediment whatsoever, or without rendring, yielding, or delivering
of any manner of accompt or accompte, payment or other thing for the same,
(other then as hereafter in theise psente is lymited and expressed). And for that
wee doe well knowe that the effecting and pfecting of the misses will amount
to a veric great charge to our said subiect, (the same tending to doe generall
a good,) wee thinke it not meete that anie other taking light or directon of his
picct, labour, travell, and charge, should take benefitt by vsing of the same or
the like, to the losse, burt, or hindrance of our said subiect, wee, therefore,
being willing to encourage our said subiect in soe good a worke, and mynding
alsoe that he may have the benefitt of the same for the terme abovesaid, doc
therefore by theise psente will and straightlie comaund and phibite that
noe pson or psons whatsoever, of what degree, qualitic, or condicon he or
they be or shalbe, at any tyme or tymes hereafter (other then the said John
Gason, his executors, administrators, or assignes, servante, factors, deputic
or deputies, or such as shalbe by him or them lycensed or appointed,
or which shall give contentment or agreement to him, them, some or
one of them, attempt, practise, Psume, or goe about, by any way, device,
or meanes, directlie or indirectlic, to passe, sayle, ride, goe, remaine
to, at, vppon, in, by, or from any the rivers, streames, water, sluces, cutte, or
'dames soe to be cutt, made navigable, pfected, or done by the said John
Gason, his executore, administrators, or assignes, deputic or deputies as
aforesaid, or intermeddle, deale, excise, practise, vse, occupie, make, build,
sett upp, finishe, or putt in vse, in, at, or vppon the same or any other place
or places within this our said realme or dominions and towne aforesaid any
manner of mill, mille, sluce, sluces, lock, locke, bridge, bridges, engine or
engines, such or the like as by our said subiect, his executore or assignes,
deputie or deputies, or any other by his, their, or any of their meanes, have
ben first invented, piccted, or sett vpp, or whereof they, every, or any of them
shall hereafter first finde, piect, practise, or putt in vse during the said terme
of twentie and one yeres, nor any of the tooles, plotte, invenčons, instrumente,
or addicon of tooles, invenčons, instrumente, boates, keeles, barkes, wherries,
or other vessell whatsoever first by them, everie, or any of them devised,
invented, or putt in vse, or to be devised, invented, or putt in vse during the
terme aforesaid, without the lycense of the said John Gason, his executors,

page_text: administrators, or servante, deputic or deputies, assignce or assignes, thereunto
first had and obtained, vppon paine and pill not onelie of our high displeasure
and the displeasures of our heires and successors, but alsoe of the forfeiture of
all and every such boate, vessel, wherry, mill, sluce, locke, bridge, engine,
toole, instrument, inventon, and device soe erected, made, sett vpp, or putt in
vse, contrarie to this our true meaning, and the meaning of theise psente in
any manner wise. Provided alwaies, and our expresse minde and will is,
that he, the said John Gason, his excutors, administrators, servante, deputie,
deputies, assignee or assignes, shall not by cullor of theise Pesente psume nor
be soe bold as to make, attempt, or cause to be made any cutt, river, water,
watercourse, mill dame, cranc, bridge, streame, or current whatsoever, in or
vpon any of the lande, grounde, woodes, or waters of vs, our heires or successors,
or any of our said subiccte in any place or places whatsoever, but where tho
same may convenientlie be pfected pformed, made, and done, to the least
detriment of vs and of all and every of our said subiecte, and not in or
vppon anie of the lande, tenemente, woode, waters, or groundes of vs, our
heires or successors, or of any of our said subiecte, but first compounding
and agreeing with vs, our heires and successors, or with the owner and
owners of the misses for such and soe much of the same as he, they, every
or any of then, shall have needeful cause of imployment for the said intent
and purposes before declared. And the said John Gason, his executors
and assignes, shall further, att his and their owne cost and charges, make,
erect, and maintaine convenient and good bridges over the rivers and waters,
streames, sluces, cutte, and places, by him or them soc cutt and to be cutt,
vsed, compounded for, or imployed. And as our desire is that this our
graunte may have due exceucon and peeeding according to the good purpose
aforesaid, and for avoyding of many inconveniences which may befall, to the
lett of the same, by the obstinacy of some evil disposed psons, therefore our
will and pleasure is, and wee doe ordaine, that noc pson or psons whatsoever,
owner or owners or possessors of anic mannor, lande, woode, or waste whatsoever,
where our said subiect John Gason, his executors, administrators, servante,
deputie, deputies, assignee, or assignes, shall have necessary occasion to
compound for or in respect of the Pinisses Psume to refuse a reasonable
composicon for such trespas or damage, as he, they, or any of them shall
reccave or sustaine in lieu of the Pmisses or anic thing touching the same,
or anie part thereof, in any manuer wise, nor contradict, gainesay, or resist
our said subicct, his executors, administrators, servaate, laborers, deputie or
deputies, with his, their, or anie of their carte. waynes, horses, teames, and
carriages whatsoever, offering and giving reasonable composicons as aforesaid,

page_text: in pformimg, pfecting, making, cutting, doing, and erecting of the said cranes,
engines, mille, sluces, cutte and other the misses aforesaid, vppon paine of
our high displeasure to be encurred for the contempt of our royall will in
that behalfe. And further, wee doe by theise psente straightlic charge and
cumaunde all sheriffe, justices, maiors, bayliffe, constables, and other our
officers and ministers whatsoever to whome it shall appertaine, that they,
every and any of them, be from, tyme to tyme ayding and assisting vnto our
said subiect John Gason, his executors, administrators, servante, laborers,
deputic, deputies, assignee, and assignes, in the doing, executing, pforming,
and finishing of all and singuler the composicons, orders, and agreement (
aforesaid, and of all and singuler other the misses aforesaid, and every part
thereof, according to the purpose, effect, and true meaning of theis psente,
soe farr forth as to them, every or anie of them, shall and may belong or
apptaine in anywise during the said terme, to have, hold, vsc, ex'cise, enioye,
receave, pecave, practise, and pforme all, every, and any the licences, powers,
priviledges, authorities, tooles, engines, instrumente, proffitte, benefitte, anuall
payment, colleccons, some and sōmes of monie and other advanwhat-
soever, before in theise sente given, graunted, or appointed, or meant or
menconed to be given, graunted, or appointed, assigned, licenced, or authorized
vnto our said subicct John Gason, his executors, administrators, assignee and
assignes, deputie and deputies, and to all and every and any of them, from
the date of theis Psente, vnto the end and terme of one and twentic yeres
from thence next ensuing fully to be compleate and ended, to his and their
own pper vse, benefitt, behoofe, and advantage, yielding and paying therefore
yearelic vnto vs, our heires and successors att the receipt of the exchequer of
vs, our heires and successors, at Westi, during the said terme, the yerelie
rent or farme of fortic shilling of lawful mony of England at the
feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Michaell
the Archangell, or within one and twentie dayes next after either of the
said feast, yerelie by even and equall porcons. And wee are further
pleased and doe, for vs, our heires and successors, of our speciall grace
and favour, graunte to the said John Gason, bis executors, administrators, and
assignes, that theis our Lies Patente shalbe taken, construed, and adiudged
in all and every our courte of justice to be most availeable for the said John
Gason, his executors, administrators, and assignes, against vs, our heires and
successors, notwithstanding the not describing the certentie of the forme or
fashion of engines, instrumente, or devices to be vsed for and about the misses,
and notwithstanding any other devices and incertenties in the same, or anic
statute, provision, pelaunaton, restraint, cause, matter, or thinge to the con-

page_text: trary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding. Provided alwaies, that if at any
time hereafter, vppon the examinacon had and taken by or before any six or
more of our Privic Councell (the said John Gason, his executors or assignes,
being therevnto called, they shall declare in writing vnder their hand that
theise our Lřes Patente of priviledge are or shalbe found inconvenient to this
our realme, that then vpon significaton of our will and pleasure, given and
published by vs vnder our signe manuell, signett, or privie scale, for the
revoking and delmining of theise psente, theis our Lřes Patente of priviledge
shall forthwith and ymediately cease, determyne, and be vtterly void, frustrate,
and of none effect, any thing therein contayned to the contrary thereof in
anywise notwithstanding.
Or, ac.
nes ourselic at Westminster, the One and
twentieth day of July.
P bře de priuato sigillo, &c.