The Court of Aldermen appointed (13 Nov.) a committee to consider this writ to the City as well as another sent to the borough of Southwark, and to learn what had formerly been done in like case. The City’s records were to be consulted with the view of ascertaining how far it was exempt from such charges, and the City’s Solicitor was to attend them on that behalf.(364) The law officers had previously been directed (6 Nov.) to consult together on the matter, and the Town Clerk had received orders to translate the writs into English and make copies of the same.(365) (M143) When the matter came before the Common Council that body, after serious consideration, decided (2 Dec.) to present a petition to his majesty setting forth that, by ancient privileges, grants and Acts of Parliament, which were ready to be produced, the City was exempt from any such obligation as that contained in the writ, and praying that the City’s privileges might be upheld.(366) (M144) The only effect of this petition was to cause another writ to be issued a week later (9 Dec.) enjoining specific performance of the former writ.(367) Finding that there was no way of escape the mayor, Sir Robert Parkhurst, began to take the necessary steps for raising £30,000, the sum required from the different wards.(368) On Sunday, the 14th December, Robert Mason, who had recently been appointed Recorder in succession to Littleton, on the king’s own recommendation (although the election is recorded as having been according to "antient custom and freedom of election"!),(369) appeared before the lords of the council with an account of the progress made in the city in the matter of the ships, with which Charles was well pleased, and the Recorder was ordered to attend the council every Sunday afternoon with a similar account "untill the worke be perfected."(370) On the 19th the Court of Aldermen appointed a committee to fit out the ships as required, but they were limited in expenditure to the sum of £30,000.(371) On the 17th February, 1635, the committee reported to the court that his majesty had resolved that two of the City’s ships should be assigned to the admiral and vice-admiral of the fleet, and that they should be fitted out by the care and oversight of officers of the navy. For this purpose the sum of £11,475, out of the £30,000 already voted, was ordered to be paid to the treasurer of the navy, whilst the committee proceeded with the business of the other five ships.(372) (M145)