A. D. 1700. Anno duodecimo & deciitio tertio GuLiELMi III. C. 7^ 67 CAP. VII. An A£t for the better fettling and preferving the Library kept in the Houfe at Wejlminjlei called Cotton Houfe, in the Name and Family of the Cottons, for the Benefit of the Publick.
- TTT HERE AS Sir Robert Cotton., late of Connlngton, in the County of Huntington, Baronet did at
' liis own great Charge and Expence, and by the Affiftance of the moft learned Antiquaries of his
- Time, colledt and purchafe the raoft ufeful Manufcripts, written Books, Papers, Parchments, Records,
' and other Memorials in moft Languages, of great Ufe and Service for the Knowledge and Prefervation ' of our Conftitution both in Church and State ; which Manufcripts and other Writings were procured, ' as well from Parts beyond the Seas, as from feveral private Colledlors of fuch Antiquities within this ' Realm, and are generally efteemed the beft Colleftion of its Kind now any where Extant : And where- ' as the faid Library has been preferved with the utmofc Care and Diligence by the late Sir Thomas Cot-
- ton. Son of the faid Sir Robert, and by Sir yohn Cotton of TVeJhninJler now living, Grandfon of the faid
' Sir Robert, and has been very much augmented and enlarged by them, and lodged in a very proper Place ' in the faid Sir Johns ancient Manfion Houfe at Wejlminjler, which is very convenient for that Purpofe : ' And whereas the faid Sir John Cotton, in purfuance of the Defire and Intentions of his faid Father and ' Grandfather, is content and willing that the faid Manfion Houfe and Library fhould continue in his ' Family and Name, and not be fold, or otherwife difpofed or imbeziled, and that the faid Library fhould ' be kept and preferved by the Name oiThe Cottonian Libniry, for publick Ufe and Advantage :' Now To be called the for the better fettling and affuring the fame, according to the Defire of the faid Sir John Cotton, and Cottonian Li- at his Requeft; Be it enacted by the King's mofl: excellent Majefty, by and with the Advice and Con- °")'» fcnt of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament allembled, and by the Autho- rity of the fame. That from and immediately after the Death of the laid Sir John Cotton, the faid Manfion a"* after Sir Houfe, with the Gardens, and all otlier Appurtenances, and alfo all the faid Library or CoUeftion of ^^"^'"[^""j-jij Manufcripts, written Books, Papers, Parchments, Records, and other Memorials, all which are particu- Manfion Houfe larly mentioned and named in a Schedule now remaining in the faid Library, together with all Coins, Library, &c. Medals, and other Rarities and Curiofities in the faid Library now remaining, be fettled, limited, and vefted in the Truftees hereafter named, to have, hold and enjoy to them and their Succefibrs for ever, fl,all be veiled m to the Ufes, Litents and Purpofes following (that is to fay) As for the faid Houfe, Gardens and Appur- Truftees, to tlie tenances, other than the Room where the faid Library now is, or hereafter may be lodged, and a conve- ^Ces following, nient Way, Paffage and Refort to the fame, at the Will and Difcretion of the Heirs of the Family, and the Library hereafter mentioned, to the only proper Ufe and Behoof oi John Cotton, Efquire, of Conning- John Cotton ■ " " "the faid Sir John Cotton, and after his Deceafe, to the firft and every Son and '^[^j^'^f ^""' Sons of the Body of the faid John Cotton, to be begotten, and the Heirs Males of the Body of fuch Son"^'"^""' ton, Grandfon and Heir of the faid Sir Jo, or Sons ilTuing fuccefiively ; and for Default of fuch Iflue, io tYizUis oi Thomas Cotton, Brother of the ThonMs Cotton ; faid John Cotton, for the Term of his natural Life ; and after his Deceafe, to the firft and every Son and Sons of the Body of the faid Thomas to be begotten fucceffively, and to the Heirs Males of fuch Son or Sons; and for Default of Wuc, to Robert Cotton of Giddin in the County of Huntington, Efquire, Son of R'=ft 9°"°" the faid Sir John Cotton, for the Term of his natural Life ; and after his Deceafe to John Cotton, Son of *^*^"^'" > the faid Robert Cotton, for his natural Life; and after his Deceafe, to the firft and every Son and Sons of J"*"" ^°"°"» the faid John to be begotten fucceffively, and the Heirs Males of their Bodies iffuing ; and for Default of fuch rffue to all and every the other Son and Sons of the faid Body of the faid Robert to be begotten, and the Heirs Males of fuch Son or Sons fuccefllvely ; and for Default of fuch Iffue to Sir Robert Cotton, ofSirRobertCot- Hattlcy Saint George in tht Cownty of Cambridge, Knight, for his natural Life ; and after his Deceafe, to'""' the firft and every Son or Sons of his Body to be begotten, and the Heirs Males of fuch Son or Sons iiluing fucceffively ; and for Default of fuch Iffue, to Philip Ctton of Connington in the County of C/7/7z- PWlip Cotton; bridge, Efquire, for his natural Life ; and after his Deceafe, to the firft and every Son or Sons of his Body to be begotten, and the Heirs Males of fuch Son or Sons iiTuing fucceffively ; and for Default of fuch Iflue, to Thomas Cotton of Cotton in the County Palatine of Chejler, Efquire, for the Term of his na- Thomas Cott»n tu'ral Life ; and after his Deceafe, to the firft and every the Son and Sons of his Body to be be- of Cotton; gotten, and the Heirs Males of fuch Son or Sons ifluing fucceffively ; and for Default of fuch Iflue, to the right Heirs of John Cotton, Grandfon and Heir of the fi^^ 'air John Cotton, forever: And'as for and concerning the faid Library, and the Room wherein the fame is or fhall be contained, together with a convenient Paffage for referring thereunto, upon this Truft and Confidence, that the faid Truftees and Truftees to in- their SucceiTors ftiall and will from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, as Occafion ihull require, f?^^ ^r'^, "^^ . infpetSt, confult, and take Care of the faid Library, and other Particulars abovementioned, ■mA aifo '"^ke ^^^j^'^ ° ^^^^_'" and appoint fuch Orders and Rules as they fliall think proper, for the reading and ufmg the fame, and ' for their better Prefervation, and to the Intent and Purpofe that the faid Tru^lees, or the major Part of them, ihall nominate and appoint a good and fufficient Perfon, well read in Antiquities and and appoint aLi- Records, to have the immediate Care and Cuftody of the faid Library ; which Perfon fo nominated brary Keeper, fhall, before he takes upon him the faid Cuftody and Employment, give Security to the Value of _ five who (hall give hundred Pounds by Recognizance, with fufficient Sureties, that none of the Manufcripts, written Security, Books, Papers, Parchments, Records, or other Memorials, whofe Names and Titles are in the faid Schedule, {hall be loft, or otherwife imbeziled; and ftiall alfo, before he take upon him the faid Cuftody and Employm-ent, take the Oath following before the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Kfttper of f'^.'^'^^'^'f °-- • lt^- ■ ■ the '"*'"S <>"'h-
