The war has involved greater tofts than were pro-vided for. The expenfes of the ambafiadors for the peace, on this and on the other fide of the fea, have called for large fums $ and thofe for the king's marriage have been very great. Although there is now a truce between England and France, the annual charges for the garrifons of the different towns and caftles under the obedience of the king in Gafcony, the Bourdelois, Bayonnois and Bigorrc, are very heavy. The fleet which muft be main-tained to guard our coafts and harbours coftsagreae deal. The frontiers of Scodand, and of our pof-feffions in Ireland, muft not be left defcncelcfs, and they demand large fums. All thefe articles, and feveral others relating to the ftate of the king and country of England, annually abforb great fums, which the nobles and prelates underftand and know much better than you can, who attend only to your trades and the difpofal of your wares. Give thanks to God that ye have peace, and confidcr that no one pays that is not liable fo to do, and carries on a trade, and that foreigners pay this tax as well as yourfelves. Ye are much better off than thofe of France, Lombardy or other countries, where it is to be hoped your merchandife is car-ried » for they are taxed and taxed over again three or four times a-year, while ye only have a mo-derate duty impofed on your wares/ The duke of Lancafter addrefled them fo mildly and calmly, that although they came thither with the worft intentions from the machinations of others, they were fatis&ed* and the afiembly broke up without 348 ,