"You shall well and truly collect, and gather, within this town, all the tolls, duties, and customs, as of right are due to the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses of this town, for all such goods as you shall know, or by strict enquiry shall find, to be bought, sold, or exchanged within this town, and thereof make a just and true account, and undelayed payment thereof, to the mayor of this town, of all such monies, as you shall have duly received, according to ancient usage and known custom of this

town.

So help you God."

The oath administered to those denominated "Searchers for cloth or ulnage," is as follows, viz.—

"You shall diligently see, and make due search after all such cloth, and cloths, that shall be dyed, dressed, or pressed, with a cold press, within this borough, its franchises and liberties thereof, and see whether the same be well and sufficiently dressed, pressed, and dyed, without putting thereto any deceitful thing, or mixing the same with bad colours, or whether the same be starched or strained, or any ways unlawfully made, contrary to the statutes in that case made and provided: and such cloths, so rightly and duly made or manufactured, pressed, and dyed, shall be sealed with a seal, given into your hands, for this

purpose, taking only such just and due fees, as are appointed by the statute in that case, and upon default, in making, dying, pressing, or sealing such inefficient cloth, unsealed, you immediately seize the said cloths, and present the name or names, of such person or persons, who shall offend therein all these points, you, and either of you, shall well and truly observe and keep, according to your cunning wit and powers.

The freeman's oath is thus :

"So help you God."

"You shall swear that you shall be good and true to our Sovereign Lord King George the Fourth, and to his heirs and lawful successors, and you shall be obedient to the just and good government of this ancient borough of Preston; and, to the best of your power, you shall maintain and preserve the peace, and all and all your due franchises thereof, and according to your knowledge and ability, do and perform all other acts and things as do appertain to a freeman of this town to do.

"So help you God."

The seneschal, steward, or town clerk's oath is as follows:

"You are elected and chosen to the office of steward, or town clerk of this borough and town of Preston, and

G

also clerk of the statutes, within the same; you shall therefore, by yourself, or your sufficient deputy, well and truly, execute your said office, during such time as you shall so continue in the same, according to the liberties and customs of this town, and also shall do and perform, execute and accomplish, all things belonging to the said office and either of them, according to your knowledge and judgment, for the public weal and benefit of this town, receiving your due fees and profits therefrom.

LIST OF THE

MAYORS, BAILIFFS, AND RECORDERS,

WHO HAVE SERVED THE BOROUGH OF PRESTON, FROM 1701 To 1821.