l the worke be
perfected."(370) On the 19th the Court of Aldermen appointed a committee
to fit out the ships as required, but they were limited in expenditure to
the sum of L30,000.(371) On the 17th February, 1635, the committee
reported to the court that his majesty had resolved that two of the City's
ships should be assigned to the admiral and vice-admiral of the fleet, and
that they should be fitted out by the care and oversight of officers of
the navy. For this purpose the sum of L11,475, out of the L30,000 already
voted, was ordered to be paid to the treasurer of the navy, whilst the
committee proceeded with the business of the other five ships.(372)

(M145)

Hitherto all had promised well, but on the 4th August Charles thought fit
to issue another writ calling upon the nation at large, and not only port
and maritime towns, to furnish ship money, on the ground that as all were
concerned in the mutual defence of one another, so all might contribute
towards the defence of the realm.(373) The City found itself called upon
to provide two more vessels of 800 tons apiece.(374) The authorities,
however, were so slow in executing this further order that the Sheriffs
were made to appear every Sunday before the lords of the council to report
what progress was being made.(375)

(M146)

In June, 1636, Richard Chambers, a merchant, who had previously displayed
a bold front against the king's demand of tonnage and poundage, for which
the Star Chamber had condemned him to a term of imprisonment (1628-1629),
again came to the fore, and carried the question of the king's right to
levy ship money to the Court of King's Bench. The judges, however,
refused to allow the question to be argued. "There was a rule of law and a
rule of government"--said Justice Berkeley, scarce realising the true
import of his words--"and many things which might not be done by the rule
of law might be done by the rule of government." Chambers was again
committed for contempt, but was afterwards liberated from prison upon
payment of the L10 at which he had been assessed. He contented himself
with bringing an action in the King's Bench against the mayor, who had
made the assessment on the ground of some technical informality.(376)

(M147)

Other matters had arisen lately--"great and important businesses"--all
tending towards an estrangement of the City from the king. Early in 1635
the City had been condemned by the Court of Star Chamber to a fine of
L