and that our Charter was compiled by some, and perused
and approved by others the most eminent Lawyers in
England for Worth and Place; and yet none of these
could find any thing in it either Illegal, Tyrannical,
or unfit to be desired of the Parliament. Nay
many mis-informed Members being rightly instructed
in the true state of the matter, have acknowledged
the justice of it; And was no more then King James
by his Letters Patents, dated the 18th of October,
in the 15th year of his Reign, granted to the said
College; near about the same time the Apothecaries
Charter was granted; and being almost nothing else
but a supply of what was short in their former Grants,
viz. That whereas their Charter granted by
King Henry the Eighth, gave power to punish offenders
in the practice of Physic; and because there was no
power given to summon, nor penalty imposed for the
non-appearance of such offenders; therefore by their
non-appearance, the said power of the Censors was eluded;
for no such offenders would appear before them, and
consequently no punishment could be inflicted on them,
according to the true meaning of the said Act.
Now this Charter so much declaimed against, prayed
only a supply of this defect, and also better and
more necessary ways and means, without which, such
and all other offenders against the lives and healths
of his Majesties Subjects could not be discovered;
and they had reason not to doubt a grant of the said
power, since by the said Charter a power was granted
them to imprison offenders, whom the Keepers of the
Prisons would not receive, because no command, nor
penalty was imposed on them, for not receiving such
offenders sent by the Censors (a thing ridiculous
to our present Lawyers) however this defect was supplyed
by an Act in the first of Queen Mary. Now whereas
since the making of the said Acts and Powers, granted
to the College, several other Trades, besides the
Apothecaries, relating to Physic (being then all Members
of the Grocers Company) viz. Druggists,
Chymists, Sellers of Strong-Waters and Oyls, have arose
distinct from each others, and many abuses have been
and are committed in each of them, as they all confess.
The said Charter prays for the publick good only (there
being the same reason of all) they might have the same
power of Surveying them also, as they have of the Apothecaries,
which most of the Judicious, and sober of the said
Companies, as well in relation to their own private
profit, and also the publick, by having all Medicines
good, did not oppose, but liked well of. Nay there
was nothing in the said Charter, but what was judged
good by all or most of the Judges of England, several
times convened by Order of the King and his Council,
to deliver their opinions concerning some Quaeries,
which comprised the main of what was desired and petitioned
for by the College, of this present Parliament.
But before the Committee could make report to the
House, the Parliament was adjourned, whereupon Apothecaries
falsly gave out, and made people believe our Charter
was taken from us. And in this transaction before
the Committee, one Cocket an Apothecary exhibited
in the name of the Chymists such a Scandalous Libel,
as the Committee would not suffer to be read; drawn
as some conceive by the assistance, and countenance,
if not contrivance of his Company.