Leiden Documents, 1619-1620 Thomas Brewer Detention

Date: 19 Sep 1619 [unknown]
Location: Leiden, Holland, Netherlands
Surname/tag: Brewer

English transcripts of various Dutch records, Mr. H. C. M[urphy],^[1] "...The Pilgrim Fathers, from the Records and Leyden," The Historical Magazine ..., 4 (1860):4-5; digital images, Hathi Trust.

"In the register of the letters of the schepens^[2] and council are the two following:"

[Letter to] To Mr. Jacob von Bronckhoven, deputy councillor of their High Mightinesses [Leyden; Thursday, 9/19 September 1619].^[3]

We have to-day summoned into our presence Thomas Brewer,^[4] an Englishman, and he being heard, we learn that his business heretofore has been printing, or having printing done, but in consequence of the publication of the placaat in relation to printing books, he had stopped the printing office, which was at that time mostly his own; and that his partner was a certain William Bruster, who was also in town at present, but sick. We have therefore resolved, after having communicated with the Rector Magniticus (the Head of the University), to deliver the said William Bruwer, who is a member of the University, in the place where it is the custom to bring the members thereof and in regard to William Bruster, to bring him, inasmuch as he is sick, into the debtors' chamber, provisionally, where he went voluntarily. Of which things we have thought proper to inform you, and to await further orders in the matter. September 19, 1619.^[5]

[Letter to] To Mr. Jacob von Bronckhoven, deputy councillor of their High Mightinesses [Leyden; Monday, 13/23 September 1619].^[6]

We have this day, in consequence of your letter, summoned the officer, and strongly enjoined upon him to do his best to arrest William Bruster, in whose person he was mistaken, which he has promised to do, but at the same time, said he had heard that the said William Bruster had already left. A meeting was held to-day at the rector's in regard to the case of William Bruwer.^[7] ["23d of September 1619"]

"The case on the part of Bruwer having been transferred to the University, the proceedings in regard to him are to be found in its "Criminal and Civil Record," letter A., as follows":

[Warrant of the University of Leyden to Seize Brewer's Types, Leyden; Saturday, 11/21 September 1619.]^[8]

Upon the application of Loth Huygensz, Gail, bailiff of the University, to have an assessor and schepenmaster to assist him in seizing the types of Thomas Brewer, a member of the said University, now in prison, and in searching his library for any works printed or caused to be printed by him within a year and a half or thereabouts, and in seizing the same, and in examining him as to what books he has printed or caused to be printed within a year and a half, either in English or in other language, the Rector and Judges of the said University have appointed and by these presents do appoint Dr. Johannes Polyander assessor, and Dr. Gulielmus Bontus schepenmaster, provisionally only, for the seizure of the type and serching of the library aforesaid, and seizing the books.

In pursuance whereof the types found in the garret are seized, the garret door nail in two places, and the seal of the said officer impressed in green wax over paper is placed upon the lock and nails; a catalogue is made of the books ; and the chamber where the same were found is sealed with the aforesaid seal upon the lock and nails. Done the 21st September, 1619. In my presence. J. Vervey.^[9]

Mr. Murphy writes, "Dr. Polyander, the assessor here named, wrote the preface to Cartwright's book, which was published by Brewster. The catalogue of the books seized is not not to be found. Next follows warrant to examine Brewer."

[Warrant of the University to Examine Thomas Brewer; and to remove his type to the University Rooms. Leyden, Monday 13/23 September 1619.]^[10]

On this 23rd September 1619, the Honorable Rector and Judges of the University in the city of Leyden have, upon the application of Loth Huyghensz. Gael, bailiff of the University, appointed, and by these presents do appoint, Dr. Cornelius Swanenburg assessor, and Dr. Gulielmus Bontus schepenmaster, to examine Thomas Brewer, in custody of the said bailiff, as to what books he has within a year and a half past printed, or caused to be printed, in the Latin, English, or other languages : and the said assessor and Jan Bout Jacobsz., schepenmaster, shall cause the type of the said Brewer which have been seized to be brought for better keeping from his house to the University rooms. Which is accordingly done the day and year aforesaid. In my presence, Jacob J. Vervey.^[11]

"Here is the refusal to surrender Brewer to the king of England, from the Register of the University."

[The Refusal of the University of Leyden to Surrender Thomas Brewer. Leyden, Monday, 11/21 October 1619.]^[12]

At an extraordinary meeting of the Curators and Burgonmasters held on the 21st of October 1619.

It being represented to the Curators and Burgonmasters that the Ambassador of his Royal Majesty the king of Great Britain requested that Thomas Brewer, English Gentleman, who is now confined in the prison of the University upon the complaint of the said ambassador by order of the Rector and Assessors, might be taken from here to his Royal Majesty in England, it resolved after consulting with the Rector and Assessors,

that the said Brewer shall still be offered, as before, to the said ambassador for further examination in the presence of any one whom His Excellency may be pleased to appoint, or he shall go before His Excellency himself, or otherwise a proper obligation shall be demanded from His Excellency to the effect that the said Brewer shall be restored here again within two months.

Which he not consenting to, the matter must be referred to the High and Mighty Lords the states of Holland and West Friesland.^[13]

"... Brewer voluntarily consented to [return to England to address the issue] ... This is the bond [dated 2/12 November 1619]^[14] which the magistrates required of Brewer himself to return to the country";

Before the undersigned assessor of the University and schepenmaster in the city of Leyden, appeared Thomas Brewer, English gentleman, a member of the said University, at presently detained in custody of the bailiff of the same, and declared that whereas he has determined, upon the urgent desire of His Royal Majesty of Great Britain, to betake himself voluntarily unto his Majesty, and is permitted to make the journey in honorable company : Therefore he has bound himself and hereby does bind himself to go upon the said journey and here again to return in the company which shall be provided for him, as well on behalf of the Honorable Rector and Judges of the said University as of the Ambassador of his Majesty ; and to be faithful hereto, without going off or leaving, directly or indirectly, in any manner, under penalty of his person and property, movable and immovable, present or future, and rights of action and claims, nothing excepted, and wheresoever the same may be,--being subject to the execution of all laws and judges. All in good faith and without fraud.^[15]

Done the 12th of November 1619. (Sd.) Swanenburg, D. Van Alphen.

"One other entry appears ... "

At a meeting held the 9th of May, 1620. [The University of Leyden Decide Still to Keep Thomas Brewer's Type. Leyden, Saturday 29 April/9 May 1620.]^[16]

A certain memorial of the Ambassador Carleton is read to the effect that the types and papers of Brewer might remain in keeping here. It is resolved to keep the said types as hitherto."^[17]

Above submittal by Mr. H. C. Murphy carried a dateline, "The Hague, August 15, 1859."

Sources

1. ↑ The author's name is given as "H. C. M.," however, the same materials are referred to as "Mr. Murphy's Leyden Papers," Historical Magazine 3:292, "The present number of the Magazine contains No. 1 of a series of valuable papers from Mr. Murphy, American Minster at the Hague ..." The article is published as a series, beginning 3 (Sept. 1859):161-163; continuing at 3: 330-335, and 3:357-259], and 4 (1860):4-7
2. ↑ "Schepen: a municipal officer in Holland and in Dutch settlements analogous to an English alderman"; Merriam-Webster.com
3. ↑ Citing the same source (Historical Magazine), date 19 September 1619 given as 9/19 September 1619 by Edward Arber, The Story of the Pilgrim Fathers, 1606-1623 A.D. (London: Ward and Downey, Limited, 1897), p. 203; digital images, Hathi Trust.
4. ↑ In the published article, Murphy notes, p. 5, that Brewer's name is found "Breuwer, Bruwer, Bruwart, etc."
5. ↑ English transcript of Dutch record, Murphy, Historical Magazine 4:5; digital images, Hathi Trust.
6. ↑ Arber, p. 206.
7. ↑ English transcript of Dutch record, Murphy, Historical Magazine 4:5; digital images, Hathi Trust.
8. ↑ Arber, p. 204.
9. ↑ English transcript of Dutch record, Murphy, Historical Magazine 4:5-6; digital images, Hathi Trust.
10. ↑ Arber, p. 207.
11. ↑ English transcript of Dutch record, Murphy, Historical Magazine 4:6; digital images, Hathi Trust.
12. ↑ Arber, p.213.
13. ↑ English transcript of Dutch record, Murphy, Historical Magazine 4:6; digital images, Hathi Trust.
14. ↑ Arber, p. 221n.
15. ↑ English transcript of Dutch record, Murphy, Historical Magazine 4:6; digital images, Hathi Trust.
16. ↑ Arber, p. 236; also, at 236n, Arber notes, "This resolution clearly proves that Brewer had not returned to Leyden up to the date of passing it."
17. ↑ English transcript of Dutch record, Murphy, Historical Magazine 4:6; digital images, Hathi Trust.