The Smugglers' City
Department of History, University of Bristol

Appointment of John Dowle as Customer Inwards, 10 May 1593

Source: Transcribed by Evan Jones (2005)
Manuscript: TNA SP12 245/9

The following documents relate to the appointment of John Dowle as the Customer Inwards [i.e. for imports] at Bristol. The first letter is from Hubberte, the existing holder of this post, in which he seeks to 'resign' his position to his kinsman Dowle. The second document is a letter of recommendation from the mayor of Bristol and some of the aldermen. Both letters are addressed to Burghley (the Lord Treasurer of England), who was responsible for appointing customs officers. The letters have been annotated by one of Burghley's secretaries and the underlining in the first letter is by the secretary. These annotations indicate what were regarded as the key aspects of the suit by the secretary, including the proffered bribe of £50. The reference to Dowle in the second letter as the 'berer' of the letter, suggests that Dowle would have carried both letters to London. There he would have presented the letters, the money and himself to Burghley. The suit was successful with Dowle being duly appointed to the post.

Letter from Hubberte to Burghley, 10 May 1593

Right honourable, whereas about tenne yeares past by your lordships
favour I enjoyed the customers place inwards in her majesties port of
Bristol , & yeat contynewe the same. And nowe (by some infirmytie)
fynding my self unhable to performe that service as therin is requisite
Am willing with your honourable favour to resigne the same to John Dowle
gent, my nere kynsman a man of honest repuatacion & creditt & fytt
for the place, as by testimony of lettres unto your honour from the mayor
& some of the Aldermen of the same citie may appeare / And
for your good lordships favour herein I am willinge to yealde (wheare your
honour shall please to dispose) C Angelles [£50], and will dailye pray
(as my bounden dutye is) for your Lordships good healthe with increase of
honour longe to contynue/

Your honours most humble
at comandmente

William Hubberte

Secretarial note: 16 May 1593

William Hubberte Customer of the
Port of Bristol inwards
He is desiring on account of his
infermity to resigne his place
to one John Dowle his Kinsman
who is certified by the maior and
others of Bristoll to be satt
To discharge the same
wherein he prayes your sp[ecial] favour.

Letter from Mayor of Bristol etc. to Burghley, 3 May 1593

Oure humble dutyes unto your honour remembered, Where
William Hulberte Gent, one of the customers of this Porte
ys mynded (as we are informed) to resigne his office unto John Dowle
this berer, yf yt may stande with your lordships pleasure, we do
presume uppon his juste deserte to comende him unto your
honorable favor as a man fytt for the service of her majestie
in that place. And thus desiring of the Allmightye
the contynuance of your good lordships healthe with increase of
honour , we doe humbly take oure leave/ Bristol this
3 of May 1593

Your honours most humble
at comandmente

Thomas Aldworth Mayor
John Browne Alderman
Robert Kitchen Alderman

Secretarial note:

Mayor of Bristol
Mr Kitchen, Mr Brown Aldermen
Recommend Dowle to be
fitt man for receving
of the customers place
uppon the resinacion of
Hulbert.