"When Plymouth was a fuzzy down,

Saltash was a Borough Town,

which is undoubtedly true, for Plymouth deriving its early gov¬ernment from the Prior of Plympton, who appointed a Reeve, did not obtain its charter until 1439, while Saltash being contiguous to the important feudal fortress of Trematon Castle was early a commercial place, and so secured a charter in the 12th century, from Reginald de Valletort, lord of the manor of Trematon, confirming its even then existing rights and immunities. This charter was ratified by Richard II on 27th November, 1382. The terms Mayor and free burgess appear first to occur in the record of an inquisition or law court held at Trematon Castle on 19th October, 1442, when Richaid Bonde of Erth, John Parkyn of Torre, William Porter of Ayshe, John Rede of Shilling-ham, John Rowe of Wadesworthy, and others, claimed that "The Major and free burgesses of Ayshe had from antient time been seized of the Water 'Tamer," etc.

All rights were again confirmed by the Charters of Edward IV. on 5th February, 1464 ; Henry VIII. on 4th March, 1509; and by a long Charter of Queen Elizabeth on 19th June, 1585 (three years before the coming of the Armada) wherein the privileges of the Borough are enu¬merated, and William Hechins, John Willes, Henry Cloberie, William Lucas, John Porter, Simon Glanfelde, and others appointed the first Aldermen under it, with Anthony Lanpen, gentleman, as Mayor. The succeeding Charter of Charles II dated 27th November, 1683, is still in excellent preservation in the seven keyed chest of the Corporation; it is in Latin, illustrated in the margin with a portrait of King Charles and the royal coat of arms exhibiting the lions of England and lillies of France. The first Burgesses under this Charter included the Earls of Bath and Radnor, Lords Lansdowne and Arundel, Sir Peter Prideaux, Sir Jonathan Trelawney, Sir John Coryton, Sir Richard Edg¬cumbe, Sir Nicholas Stanning, Sir Jos. Tredinham, and Sir Hugh Piper, Benard Grenville, Francis Roberts, Nicholas Courtenay, and William Coryton. The next Charter, that of George III (7th June, 1774) was rendered necessary by the power obtained over the Borough by the Buller family, which was so great that the residents were unwilling to become members of the Corporation at all. After this George IV by legal measures varied the immunities of the Borough, and since then the Corporation has had to pay an .annual tribute of £18 a year to the Duchy of Cornwall for the perpetual rights of the Ferry, oysterage, anchorage or port dues, and royalties of the Water Tamar. The Ferry had been previously held of the Crown on leases for lives -or 21 years. It was not until 1st January, 1886, that the Rate-payers acquired under a new Charter the right of electing representatives to the Council, vacancies being previously filled by the Corporation themselves electing someone. Since that date, however, the privilege of voting has been exercised with considerable zest and has had a wholesome effect; the expressed wishes of the ratepayers have been respected, and a period of steady municipal progress has resulted.

The most valuable by far of the rights derived from the recited charters is that to the Ferry tolls, which is now worth some £1,000 a year net, equal to a half-crown rate per annum. The Ferry and landing for half a mile up and down stream was granted to the Borough by the Black Prince (the first Duke of Cornwall) in the reign of Edward III, also a tract of land in St. Budeaux parish (Devon side) for Ferry approaches; this is now rated as a part of St. Stephen's parish.

Of all the Dukes of Cornwall the present one and the Black Prince paid more visits to their Duchy than any of the other holders of the title. The Black Prince was frequently at Plymouth, and there is a tradition that being at Saltash on the eve of a battle he wished to join his troops, and in the absence of other means two Saltash women offered their services and pulled him over to the Devon side but refused any reward. In gratitude the Prince granted the Passage to the inhabitants; but whether this is reliable or not it is recorded that an old follower petitioned the Prince to grant him the Ferry at Saltash on the plea that he had lost an eye in battle; the record is still extant at MountEdgcumbe written in Norman-French.

For many years the anchorage, or port dues, produced about £200 a year. These dues of 1s. each were collected from every decked boat entering Plymouth Sound; the Corporation being responsible to maintain in position a buoy over the Cobler Reef near Sutton Pool, and (until the last Charter) to hold inquests on bodies found within the liberty of Water Tamar. In 1844 there was litigation about this right and the Corporation succeeded but had to pay the expenses (£1,160) owing to the defendant becoming insol¬vent. Of late the Cobler Buoy has been alleged to be a useless marine mark as the head of a jetty is now close to the reef and affords a mark; it is likely therefore that the Buoy will have to be removed in the year 1900, when the collecting of the tolls will be discontinued and a custom the Corporation has enjoyed from an early date will cease; in the meantime the income (£140) is paid to a sinking fund towards the reduction of mortgages on that property.

Another important right is the Oyster Fishery of the water Tamar, which has sometimes produced good revenues, but is not now leased. The Tin refuse, mundic and chemical wastes passed into the river from some mines and works up the rivers came down in such pungent doses as to destroy the young fish and oysters, while the copper under sonic of the old war ships makes the oysters unpalatable, even if they live to maturity. No doubt in a short time the discharge of mineral refuse into the rivers will be prohibited, and the fishing industry resuscitated. This fishery right has also cost the Corporation a good deal in lawsuits. In 1584 there was a long suit of "Rudyard v Porter," about the oysterage, and in 1876 a case was carried through to the House of Lords about it, and cost the Corporation more than £1,000.

The limits of the water Tamar were recorded in 1779 thus:

From the Town of Saltash to Penlee Well, in the parish of Rameihenoe, in a straight line across Plymouth Sound, to the Shagstone, thence to Fisher's Nose, at Plymouth and Princess Rock, in Catwater.

Also from Saltash to Cuddenheake, in the river Tiddy, and to Cumble Tor Rock, in the river Lyner.

Also from Saltash to a rock called OckleTor in the parish of Calstock, and to high water mark within every of the creeks, etc. within the aforesaid limits.

This water, or "silver oar" limit, extends over more than 20 miles of the Tamar, Hamoaze, etc. and to Calstock, embracing the water portions of most of the 12 parishes forming PlymouthHarbour, &c., having 100,000 inhabitants.

The rights in the river Lynher were sold to the Admiralty in 1890.

The Assizes for the county were held here in 1393, and a Court of Quarter Sessions existed up to 1886; amongst the Recorders were Sir John Coryton, Hart. (1676), Lord North, Nicholas Courtenay, Attorney-General for the Duchy of Cornwall (1677), William Symons, Esq, of Hatt, John Beer, Esq., and last of all, G. H. E. Rundle, Esq., who now resides at Stoke. The final severe sentence was in 1877, William Shaddock, Esq., being then Mayor, an old offender, out on ticket of leave, was transported for 7 years for stealing a watch at the regatta. Civil actions were also tried at the Borough Law Court as early as Queen Eliza¬beth's reign. The Constitution Book contains minutes of a court held October, 1575, referring to the old Guildhall and Corporation chapel (St. Nicholas), as follows:-

That no p'son presume to syt in either of the said places unless he

be thereunto appoynted by the Mayor and his brethren. The old

Guildhall has for many years been vacated.

It is supposed that weekly markets were established at Saltash soon after the Norman Conquest by Robert, Earl of Moreton, to benefit his manor, and the market was at one time so well stocked with cheap produce, that artisans came from Plymouth to buy provisions. In Carew's time it was the chief local market, and a minister preached a sermon every market day; all the neighbouring gentry attended, adjourning afterwards to a dinner, and subsequently proceeding to business.

About the year 1770 an M.P. for the borough built the lower part of the present Guildhall as a market house, and it was for a time called the "Tamar Hall." He did not, however, complete the undertaking. It is most likely the gentleman was Thomas Bradshaw, Esq., M.P., who was also Mayor about that time. He was Secretary to the Treasury, but dying suddenly, his family was not left in good circumstances. The records show that on the 19th November, 1774, " It was unanimously agreed to rebuild " the market house, and the Receiver is directed to pay for " same, and also such expenses as attend the repairing and " altering of the house adjoining, lately given by the Corpn. " for the residence of the chaplain." In 1780 this was done, and recent alterations have made it a convenient Guildhall. On the dais are 3 handsome carved oak chairs, that for the Mayor having the arms of the borough carved on the panel. Along the top, over the bench is a carved screen, in the centre being the Royal arms, dated "C. R.," "1661." In the building are the old stocks and an 8ft. staff headed with a coronet, and having a plate engraved (Presented by the ladies of Saltash to the Mayor, etc. in commemoration of 21st March, 1844, in the Mayoralty of William Hutchinson, Esq.) There was than attached to it a banner with the borough arms, and this was always used when the Mayor and Corporation proceeded to hold a water court. The banner has, however, been some time since worn out and lost, so that there is again an opportunity for the ladies, of the borough to emulate their predecessors by renewing it. Outside, on the wall, is an old sundial, dated 1727, inscribed "Me lumen vos umbra regit" (the light rules me, She shadow you), a very similar sentiment to that on St. Stephen's church sundial.

The Mayor's insignia are the handsomest in the West, comprising 5 sterling silver maces and a gold chain and pendant, the latter only recently (1890), provided chiefly by the gift of a rich medallion by the Mayoress (Mrs. Dusting, jun.), links being added by Aldermen William Shaddock, P. E B. Porter, William Gilbert, G. Adams, Wm. Dusting, jun., and the representatives of Messrs. William Rundle, John Lower Clarke, John Martyn, and William Hawke, former Mayors, and F. W. P. Cleverton, late town clerk. The two maces now in use are each of sterling silver, 3ft. 7in. long. The stems are massive, with knots, and beauti¬fully figured with the rose, shamrock, and thistle. At the top of each are three figures supporting the head which is richly ornamented, and displays

(1) The borough arms, a three masted ship

(2)The Prince of Wales' plumes

(3) An Anchor

(4) Arms of the Buller family.

On the top surface are the Royal arms and supporters, and above are the silver oars in saitire rising out of a regal crown. These were presented in 1699, by Francis Buller, Esq., of Shillingham, then M.P. for the borough. The second pair are also silver, each 20in. long, with the Royal arms engraved on the heads, while the stems, shaped like oars, display the three masted ship, the anchor, and the Duke of Cornwall's plumes, with the date 1623, one having the initials "E. H." which, no doubt, are those of Edmund Herring, who was Mayor at that period. The small silver oar mace is about 7 long, dated 176o, and has on it, the seal of the borough. It was used by the town serjeants as the emblem of their authority when making arrests on vessels in harbour.

The chapel of St, Nicholas and St. Faith is also the free¬hold of the Corporation, being originally built and endowed by the Corporation as a chapel-of-ease for their accommo¬dation, and the town serjeant is verger. A chapel was dedi¬cated to St. Fide (St. Faith) 4th January, 1432, but the register only dates from about 1700. It is also assumed to have been dedicated to St. Nicholas. The borough was included in St. Stephen's parish up to 1881, when a sepa¬ration was effected, and the land boundaries of the borough and parish are identical, and comprise 177 acres, but as there is no parish church, the parishioners still use St, Stephen's churchyard, while the Church of England congre¬gation continues to have seats allotted by the Mayor in St. Nicholas. This, the oldest edifice in the borough, was con-secrated by Bishop Grandisson, of Exeter - period, 1330 - on the site of a still older church, It is chiefly of the Norman period, and is built of stone, and consists of two, aisles, with gothic windows, some with decorated and some perpendicular tracery, a southern transept and a tower with battlements on the N. side 57ft. high, with six bells. On the side of the N. door is a granite slab removed there from a public well in Fore-street, on which is inscribed

"Borough of Saltash, J. S., Myr, 1767, May God increase this spring"

whilst over that door is an inscription showing that the church was restored in 1689, in the mayoralty of Mathew Veale, gentleman. In the S. wall is a closed arch, which is thought by some to have connected the chapel with an ancient abbey supposed to have been of the Cistercian Order, and to have been situated just under the railway bridge, between Fore-street and Middle-street, and there may be seen now several old granite mullions and a com¬plete abbey window of granite which may have come from some such building. C. S. Gilbert, in his history, published 1820, says:

"At Saltash there was an abbey, the remains of which are now scarcely visible."

Of all the features of Saltash the most noted is, of course, the Royal Albert Bridge, which is amongst the first bridges of the whole world. Saltash has much to thank Brunel for; probably no man is at the present time endowed with such engineering talent and power of inspiring confidence in a modern board of directors as to carry out such a costly work. Brunel made Saltash the gateway to ancient Cornubia, and the traveller now easily and rapidly passes the portals, and finds himself in the county celebrated for squab pie and potato pasty. The bridge cost £230,000, and was opened by Prince Albert 2nd May, 1859. It is 2,240ft. long, the greatest span 455ft., and the road runs 100ft. above high water level. The centre pier is on solid rock, and measures 260ft. from foundation to summit.

The Baptists have a modern chapel of Gothic style, erected in 1864, in Culver-road. Near to it, among the trees, are buried some Roman Catholic French prisoners who died while in captivity on parole during the wars of Napoleon, and there are still in the borough some wood work articles worked by those prisoners while here in exile. Increasing numbers necessitated the building of a new Wesleyan chapel and schools at the top of Fore Street, which are commodious and an imposing addition to the edifices of the borough. In the front is a foundation stone, inscribed

"This stone was laid by Mrs. William Dusting, Mayoress of Saltash, 14th October, 1890."

The Roman Catholics have a Friary of the Franciscan order in Port View. The old Wesleyan chapel has been converted into a Drill and Masonic hall. In each capacity it will fill a want long felt. The strong company of local volunteers, having a recently raised band, with good instruments, subscribed for locally, will now have roomy head quarters. The pettiest supplement to our local structures is St. Barnabas Convalescent Hospital, erected in 1887, at an outlay of £5.500, by the munificence of Mrs. H. Ley. It is of red brick and tile stone and logwood points. A new Bank being built in Fore Street by the Devon and Cornwall Bank, is awelcome reconstruction; while the new police station and cells will supply a want long felt. The Board School was established in 1872, the schools in North Road costing about £2500, of which some £1,500 is still owing.

The entrance to North Road from Fore Street was widened. in the year 1871. by the purchase, for £750, and removal of the old "Fountain Inn." Prettily situated under a spread¬ing tree, near to the Brewery, is Elwell, with its granite arch, inscribed "J. S. Myr. 1767." The mansion was built by the Kekewich family in 1620, and many buildings appear from the dates inscribed on them to have been erected about 1580.

The "Green Dragon" Hotel was a much frequented posting house Prior to the middle of this century. Assemblies were held there, and the 4-horse coaches from the country districts made it a busy house. Just above the Commercial Hotel there stood up to about 1850 the gate of the borough, visitors passing in under an arch across the street.

The Saltash biscuit is a specialty of considerable note, and scarcely surpassed for its kind by the innumerable modern varieties. There was up to the last quarter of a century a grammar school in the borough, founded by Queen Elizabeth, and from the Saltash school have emanated many good men. The most noted at the present time is Mr. Justice Boucaut, late Premier of South Australia. In proposing his health at a recent banquet at Adelaide, the speaker said;-

"His Excellency Mr. Justice Boucaut was a gentleman who by his acts had conferred lustre on South Australia. He was one of the ablest statesmen this young colony had ever had."

In replying the same evening, His Excellency referred to Saltash as follows:-

"I won't even dilate on the pluck and endurance of the Saltash women rowers. It was a pretty sight to see half a dozen boats start in a Regatta with all the women in snow-white frilled caps and frilled jackets. One crew, of which Ann Glanville was stroke, and which I have seen row, would beat any crew of men of the same number, and would not, I believe, have thought it anything very wonderful to heat a crew of men with a couple of men extra. I read in the Times that Ann Glanville then an old woman upwards of eighty was introduced to the Duke of Cornwall when he was down West, and I have often heard that she used to row round the captains' man-of-war gigs in the Hamoaze, and chaff the blue jackets."

His Excellency revisited Saltash in 1892

The shipping possessed by Saltash merchants about the Armada period was considerable, and we have now a small of colliers and a fine fleet of passenger steamers the Plymouth Harbour. The place is still, and has for generations been an unrivalled nursery for the Navy, and the borough distinctly a place of residence for "service" In 1643 the Cornish forces, about 7,000 strong, lay at Saltash, under Slanning; Liskeard, under Lord Mohun; Launceston, under Trevanion; and Stratton, under Sir Bevill Grenville, and at the outbreak of war, the King fortified Saltash, but the following year, 1644, it was taken by Parliamentary forces under Lord Essex, who at once strengthened the works, and also added a 400-ton ship and 16 pieces of cannon at the bottom of the hill. After the victory for the King at Braddock Down, below Liskeard, the vanquished, under General Ruthven, retreated to their stronghold at Saltash, and here made an obstinate resistance, but the Royalists, led by Grenville and Mohun, attacked the place, took it, and made havoc among the rebels, many of whom were drowned, their leader, Ruthven, escaping to Plymouth by water. This resulted in the Royalists holding the whole of Cornwall for a period. Saltash had after-wards, in 1645, to be given up to the Parliamentary forces. Hawker, writing of the times :

Call the hind from the plough and the herd from the fold,

Bid the wassailer cease from his revel,

And ride for old Stow, where the banner's unrolled

For the cause of King Charles and Sir Bevill.

Trevannion is up, and Godolphin is nigh,

And Harris of Hayne 's o'er the river.

From Lundy to Looe 'One and all,' is the cry,

And 'The King and Sir Bevill for ever."

The ancient borough has, beyond question, a past history of great interest and antiquity, and she has also a future full of hope, for by wise administration considerable progress and prosperity may be anticipated, without the prospect of increased burdens

"Eu hay perkon qwav" (old Cornish).

"In summer remember winter."