FROM SIR ARTHUR CHICHESTER, LORD DEPUTY.

Touching our proceeding in passing books upon the commission of defective titles, whereas the Lord Treasurer has been informed that lands are passed to divers persons without any consideration had, whether he that passeth the land were an heir or came in for valuable considerations, we have been so far from negligence in that point, that they complain here that we are too strict in examining the titles of such as offer to pass their lands upon that commission; for whereas in England they take the party's oath only that he is in possession of the lands, which he intendeth to pass without further examination of his title, here we take this course: 1. We award a commission to indifferent Commissioners to inquire publicly of what lands the party is possessed and of what estate. Upon the execution of this commission all such as pretend any title come in, and make their claims, of which return is made unto us by the Commissioners, and then before the book is suffered to pass, not only they whose claims are found by the inquisition, but all others who come in after, are heard at the Council table, and their claims examined. By this practice it follows that these books pass very slowly, and the party who passeth his lands is put to extraordinary charge, as well in purchasing and in the examining of this commission, as in attendance, till we be satisfied that the grant may pass without prejudice to any other subject. We take care that all other subjects rights be saved in the grant, and we take bonds of the grantee not to defeat the estates of undertenants. This course though it be somewhat chargeable to the subject, we hold to be necessary in this kingdom where many disseisins and intrusions have been made by one man upon another in the times of trouble and confusion. In making the compositions we never take so much as five years fine, which (as it seems) is the least that is taken in England.

10th Oct. 1611. Signed: Arthur Chichester.

Endorsed.