3 Aug 1643 (Thu) || Since the Surrendring of Bristoll, it is reported, that the King hath forbidden the Inhabitants thereof to pay any money that they owe to the City of London, but they must pay them yo such as He hath appointed to receive them, and that He will give them discharges for such debts, which, if it be true, how contrary such Commands are to Gods word, any man may discerne that readeth Ezek. 45.9.
And now it is more fully related, that Bristoll hath beene pillaged, and whereas they had compounded to pay 50000. pounds; Prince Rupert hath imposed 150000. pounds upon then, and they are also commanded to maintaine 6000. men in garrison, and to set forth 30. ships presently for the Kings service, whence they may perceive that their cowardly yeilding, hath brought upon themselves, a slavish and arbitrary government, and whereas not long since they refused to lend Sir William Waller 10000. pounds, they are now forced to part with greater summers, but it may be, as seemeth by their easie yeilding, they love the Cavaliers better then them, and desire to be rid of their moneys by force and constraint, and then, Volenti non fit injuria.¹ || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)
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¹ “To a willing person, no injury is done”; a principle of law, by which if someone willingly puts themselves in danger, they can’t blame anyone else.