As soon as the Commonwealth was fairly well established many efforts were made to relieve the poor of London. As early as 1647 a new organisation was established, named the Corporation of the Poor, which was empowered to erect workhouses and Houses of Correction[657]. Something seems to have been done by the members of this body. The store-house situated in the Minories and the Wardrobe-house were granted to them, and here orphans were maintained and many hundred of poor families were employed and relieved by the Corporation by spinning and weaving, "and," they tell us, "whosoever doth repair, either to the Wardrobe near Blackfriars, or to Heiden House in the Minories, may have Materials of Flax, Hemp or Towe to spin at their own houses if it be desired, leaving so much money as the said Materials cost, until it be brought again in Yarn; at which time they shall receive money for their work and more Materials to imploy them; so that a stock of 12_d._ or 14_d._ will be a sufficient security for any that will be imployed; and every one is paid according to the fineness or coursness in the Yarn they spin: there being a certain rule of Length and Tale to pay every one by, so that none are necessitated to live idly, that are desirous or willing to work[658]." [657] _An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the constant reliefe and Imployment of the Poore and the Punishment of Vagrants and other disorderly persons in the City of London. 17 Dec. 1647._ [658] Note to song "Poor Outcast Children's Song and Cry" published 1653. _King's Pamphlets_, 669, f. 16-95. But the President and Corporation of the Poor were soon hindered in their work by want of funds, and were not at all successful in maintaining order in the London streets[659]. Their greatest difficulty seems to have been in 1656, and they try an interesting experiment. Many pamphlets of this century concern the fishing trade and were written to urge the English to keep it from the Dutch. Some of the writers consider the fitting out of fishing-boats the best means of setting the poor of the nation to work[660]. The plan now was actually attempted; three busses or fishing smacks were taken from the Dutch and granted to this Corporation for the purpose of employing the poor[661]. [659] Resolutions of Common Council, 6th March, 1656, and 1st April, 1657. Lord Mayor's Proclamation Book, Nos. 14 and 17. The first resolution sets forth the fact that the Corporation have not funds sufficient for employing the constables necessary for clearing the streets; a special rate was to be levied to assist them. [660] _Britaine's Busse_, 1615. Eden, I., p. 148, and _Provision for the Poore_, 1649. _King's Pamphlets_, 669, f. 14. [661] _Calendar of State Papers_, Sept. 2, 1652.