THE CASE OF THE Hamlet of Wapping, In Answer to White-Chappel, concerning Their HIGH-WAYS.

I. WApping is at great Expence in maintaing the Common-Sewers and Outlets, which receive and convey a great part of the Water of White-Chappel, which has lately cost the Inhabitants of Wap­ping some Hundreds of Pounds, of which White-Chappel (not­withstanding they receive the Common Benefit) contribute not a Farthing.

II. White-Chappel (in respect of the Parish) has the only Advantage in point of Trade, by the Road which they represent, as so very Chargeable, having in particular an Hay-Market in Their Street thrice a Week, and from every Hay-Cart they receive 2 d. for their Scavengers, The Scavengers have let their Profits of the Hay-Market for 25. l. per Annum. and 2 d. to each House before which they stand; besides all other Advantages in respect of Custom to their Houses, &c. but not the least Benefit accrues to Wapping by White-Chappel High-way, That being hear a Mile and a Half distant from it.

III. Wapping never paid more than Six Pounds per Annum, towards the Re­pairs of White-Chappel High-way, till the Year 1679, till which time they had Sur­veyors of their own, and having by that time, at the great Expence of near 700 l. (which is above 40 l. per Annum Interest) Pav'd then High-ways, which were Gravell'd at yearly Charge; White-Chappel then took the Advantage of breaking the Old Contract of 6 l. per Annum, and have since most unjustly Collected Arbitrary Sums, in particular, in the Year 1692, They Collected 17 l. more than they brought to Account.

IV. Two Substantial Inhabitants of White-Chappel, (one of which has been formerly Surveyor) did this very Year offer to maintain their High-ways at 100 l. per Annum, for Seven Years successively, and give Security to the Parish to save them from Damage.

V. There will be, without Wapping, in White-Chappel Parish at least 3000 Houses, (and more are still building from new Foundations) and supposing but 2000 Inhabitants should perform Statute Labour, or pay for so doing but 1 s. per House, it will make up the Sum propos'd by the Undertakers, which discovers that their Charge is inconsiderable.

VI. The Parish of St. Anns (which they bring as a President) did never (as an Hamlet) lay out 700 l. on their own High-ways, distinct from the Parish at large, as Wapping has done; Neither have they Common-Sewers be­neficial, and not chargeable to the other Parish, neither any Damms against the River of Thames, which create a continual Charge unto the Inhabitants: So that the Case is not at all alike. But contrary to this the Hamlet of Shad­well was separated from Stepney, a Neighbouring Parish to White-Chappel, by Act of Parliament in the Year 1670, without being made Contributary to Stepney High-ways, notwithstanding Stepney has above six times more High-ways than White-Chappel.

VII. As to the Charities, tis wonderful with what Confidence they can offer so great a Falshood to this Honourable House, to detect which, we here set forth what They are, according to their own Book and Rent-roll.

  l. s. d.  
The Total of the Rent-roll produc'd before the Honorable Committee 129 14 04 per Annum.
Of this there is (as appears by their own Books) restr [...]ined to White-Chappel, exclusive of Wapping the following Charities;        
1. Mrs. Agnes Smith, gave to the upper part of the Parish 2 0 0 per Annum.
2. Mr. Fabian Postilath, 2 0 0 per Annum.
3. Mr. Thomas Morrice, 1 0 0 per An.
4. The Vinters Company, 1 0 0 per An.
Mrs. Alice Row gave in Cash,—50 l.        
5. Mr. Brown, 2 0 0 per An.
6. Mr. Biggs, 2 0 0 per An.
  • Mrs. Paradine 100 l.
  • Alderman Hillard 50 l.
With they Purchased,
11 0 0 per An.
7. Mr. Holbrook, 2 19 0 per An.
In all 24 10 00  

This is a most true Account of their Book and Rent-Roll; except a new Purchase disputable, not in the Rent-Roll: But besides, there are several Alms-Houses; 100 l. given by the last Rector, A Free-School already built and en­dowed by him with 40 l. per Annum, after two very old Lives: All which Wap­ping shall lose the benefit of by being made a Parish.

VIII. Tho Wapping maintain their own Poor, yet as appears even by White-Chappel Book, (as well as other Evidence) which has restrain'd some Charities to the upper part of the Parish which implies that the rest are not restrained) They ought to have their part of the Publick Charities, which have been de­manded, particularly by Philip d' Assigny late Chappel-Warden, though shiftingly refus'd, and unjustly detain'd, by the Upper Hamlet.

These things having been more fully made appear to the Honourable Committee, be­fore whom this Matter was Hoard, Wapping therefore does hope, that this Honourable House will make no such Reservation, as is unjustly desir'd by the Ʋpper Hamlet, since passing the Bill without it, will rather be an Advan­tage, than Prejudice to White-Chappel.

Wapping's Answer to White-Chappel.

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