Month: September 2016

“And for the better accomplishment of this his Majesties Royal Pleasure, his Majesty both hereby will and require the Justices of the Peace within their several Counties, and the Chief Magistrates in all Cities and Towns Corporate, that they do at their next respective General Sessions of the peace (to be holden within their several and respective Counties, Divisions and Precincts) recall and make void all Licences at any time heretofore Granted, for the selling or retailing of any Coffee, Chocolet, Sherbett or Tea. And that they or any of them do not (for the future) make or grant any such Licence or Licences to any persons whatsoever.”

This very powerful declaration put into place by King Charles II managed to revoke all coffee licenses, stop the distribution of these licences and make coffee shops illegal. King Charles even goes on to say”And that they or any of them do not (for the future) make or grant any such Licence or Licences to any persons whatsoever.” which would prevent the legal sale of coffee and other hot beverages in establishments for good. He was said to have declared this because he believed that the coffee houses had very evil and dangerous effects. He said that it was not only the coffee houses that were having these effects but even went on to say that the people who would meet in these coffee houses were reported to be malicious and scandalous and have had their activities reported. It is evident that is not the whole truth and the malicious and scandalous gatherings were not occurring within these coffee houses. In fact the meetings that were occurring within the coffee houses only had a negative affect on the king because these coffee houses had become a new place to meet and talk about politics. The people  gathering together in groups and talking about what actions were in the best interest of the country threatens the very core of his rule. But even after attempting to silence the people of his country his own ministers pressured him to not pass the bill due to their own interests in preserving these coffee houses.

“And for the better accomplishment of this his Majesties Royal Pleasure, his Majesty both hereby will and require the Justices of the Peace within their several Counties, and the Chief Magistrates in all Cities and Towns Corporate, that they do at their next respective General Sessions of the peace (to be holden within their several and respective Counties, Divisions and Precincts) recall and make void all Licences at any time heretofore Granted, for the selling or retailing of any Coffee, Chocolet, Sherbett or Tea.”

With this single declaration, the King, Charles R managed to completely restrict the selling of coffee, chocolet, sherbett and tea. Not only were only coffee houses stripped of their licenses, but no more would be issued again. The King did this, under the impression that coffee produced dangerous and evil effects, and also because he felt as if coffee-houses were hotspots for rebellious and malicious behavior. He clearly feared that keeping these coffee-houses open could put his position in jeopardy and the only way he saw this could be countered would be forcing them all to cease sales. Not only that, but the declaration also warns of strict punishment for those who sell without a license, demanding the “forfeiture” of five pounds for each moneth (month) they break the law. Additionally, the declaration warns of that those who break the law will also be dealt with the severest punishments offered by the law. However, this declaration never managed to go into effect due to the fact that the king’s ministers opposed it. The declaration was supposed to go into effect on January 10th, but was withdrawn days before.

“And his Majesty doth further hereby declare, that if any person or persons shall take upon them, him or her, after his, her or their License or Licenses recalled, or otherwise without License, to sell by retail (as aforesaid) any of the Liquors aforesaid, that then the person or persons so Offending, shall not only be proceeded against, upon the Statute made in the Fifteenth year of his Majesties
Reign (which gives the forfeiture of five pounds for every moneth wherein he, she or they shall offend therein) but shall (in case they persevere to Offend) receive the severest punishments that may by Law be inflicted.”

This was a message from King Charles II to the people of England that they were no longer allowed to have coffee houses. He also placed a ban on the selling of coffee Sherbet and Tea. Charles said that coffee houses we’re offensive to the law and that they were disturbing the peace but the real reason why he didn’t want coffee houses was because he believed that these places promoted rebellion. The punishment for the selling of these items was five pounds for every moneth (month) that they sell it and if they continued to do it they were to receive “the severest of punishments that may by law be inflicted”. This shows how seriously King Charles took this. In the article it notes that it was supposed to take place on January 10 1675 but the king was pressured by his own ministers to withdraw the proclamation because they themselves loved their coffee.

“And his Majesty doth further hereby declare, that if any person recalled, or otherwise without Licence, to sell by retail (as aforesaid) any of the Liquors aforesaid, upon the Statue made in the fifteenth year of his Majesties Reign (which gives the forfeiture of five pounds for every month wherein he, she or they offend therein) but shall (in case they persevere to Offend) receive the severest punishments that may by Law be inflicted.”

This is as the title states a royal proclamation for the suppression of coffee houses, demanding the halt of any selling of Coffee, Chocolet, Sherbett, or Tea. This proclamation was to effect the Kingdom of England, the Dominion of Wales, and the Town of Berwick on Tweed. This proclamation speaks about the Coffee-Houses of these areas staying they “have produced very evil and dangerous effects;”. Because they believed these “Liquors” produced very evil and dangerous effects the selling of them was to result in a severe punishment. An interesting thing to think about is why else the King might have wanted to halt the selling of these items. Maybe it was not only because they were evil and dangerous but because he possibly stood to turn a profit being incharge of all the  Coffee, Chocolet, Sherbett, and Tea he wanted. Another interesting thing to note about this proclamation is the King thought the coffee and such would result in evil and dangerous effects but his ministers pressured him into its withdrawal before the proclamation even was to take into effect.

 

 

“We Humbly Pray, That you our Trusty Patrons would improve your Interest, that henceforth the Drinking COFFEE may on severe penalties be forbidden to all Persons under the Age of Threescore;”

The title of this document specifies that the perspective of the following writing is from the female point of view. A few lines in, it is included that that the legislative body of the “Worshipful Court of Female-Assistants” is the target of a petition filed out by several thousand civilian women. This complaint is revealed as being triggered by the negative effects resulting from the consumption of the beverage of coffee. Men are blamed (in later portions of the text) as being severely affected to the extent that they are unable to even work; to the point where some are described as just lying around lazily and asleep half the time when they are expected to be up and about tending to whatever is in need.

Towards the second to last page, there is even the accusation that it strips them of their masculinity behavior-wise and that things aren’t as they were and have been before. There are direct accusations by wives of their men spending their time gathering at these coffee house and being drunk up to three different times a day. Referring back to the quote, this is enough to convince the writer that an age limit must be placed on those allowed to consume the beverage.

“…many Tradesmen and others, do therein mis-spend much of their time…in such houses, and by occasion of the meetings of such persons therein…False, Malitious and Scandalous Reports are devised and spread abroad, to the Defamation of His Majesties Government, and to the Disturbance of the Peace and Quiet of the Realm…”

The document written by or at least instructed at the request of English royalty opens with  the reader acknowledging the existence of coffee houses. These places are also revealed as having increased in quantity as of late within the colonial lands of the nation such as Wales and the Town of Berwick. There is a claim made that all those who congregate in these houses are up to no good. The likes of such people in attendance are also specified when the direct reference to tradesmen is made.

Based on this, we are able to assume that usually working class people are the ones to be found at such functions; not very much unlike bars. These people are in essence being accused of committing treason or at least creating and/or contributing to an environment that at some point would be capable of fostering it. Suppression of this potential treason is treated as a priority to the extent that efforts for the disbanding of the establishments are requested personally through Royal Proclamation by the direct Monarchy itself. The writer, being aware of the burden of enforcement of the new legislation from a distance, instructs local government authorities to void and recall all licenses of the served beverages alone.

“The forfeiture of five pounds for every month wherein he, she or they shall offend therein) but shall (i case they persevere to offend) receive the severest punishments that may by Law be inflicted.” – By the King

This statement is important to understand the two passages regarding the suppression of coffee houses because the King acknowledges how critical it is for insisting that if you do offend this policy then you shall receive a severe punishment. Further in the text to follow this new policy of his , he requires the Justices of the Peace and Chief Magistrates in all the cities to hold a meeting explaining the decline for “selling or retailing of any Coffee, Chocolate, Sherbett or Tea.” to make sure the word spreads quickly. He also wants for the licenses to be suspended and never to issue it to someone again. As for the women’s petition regarding this situation , it was the same and could have forced the king to abide by these women. The women were disappointed by the lack of activity done to satisfy their wives such as sexual activities.

The quote said by the King is vital because those who supported his idea were women and some of his supporters. Many women explained that men where gossiping more than women at these Coffee houses but that doesn’t seem clear to me as if men are not allowed to talk to each other. Coffee supposedly made the men tired and fatigue as if being old of age. As for another reason they believed their men went about to these Coffee Houses were because of how it was said at the time that they would be cured of being drunk. Overall to put an end to this controversy , the proclamation was withdrawn before being put into effect because of how the King’s ministers loved coffee.

 

“This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable.” (58)

Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano gives insight into the life of a slave from the direct source of a slave himself. In this quote, Equiano explains to us the horrible and tragic events that the slaves went through while on the slave ships. Even when slaves had to perform body functions such as going to the bathroom, they were still chained. The slaves were living in terrible conditions, there was excrement and refuse everywhere, and the air was heavy with terrible smells. No one had any privacy whatsoever; there was nowhere to move. The slaves would constantly grow sick from not eating or drinking. Equiano explains many of the slaves were terrified when they saw white faces. Slaves were separated from their families and were forced to be with other slaves who did not speak the same language. These slaves were beaten with out mercy. The situation was so terrible that even death was considered a pleasure to the slaves. Equiano gave us a realistic point of view of what the slaves physically and mentally encountered.

“Thus, at the very moment I dreamed of the greatest happiness, I found myself most miserable: and it seemed as if fortune wished to give me this taste of joy only to render the reverse more poignant” pg. 53

Equiano’s personal accounts of slavery as a boy is interesting because he is experiencing many things. Because he traveled so much, he spoke more languages and grew an understanding of other cultures, some being similar to his own. As he gets sold and passed around from town to town, he goes through different treatments from all his masters and wives. From bad to amazing, Equaino is shocked of his personal experiences and what he witnesses outside. With one of his master’s, he was perfumed, washed, and prepared for a meal with a mistress and her son. He was treated as one of their own, speaking the same language, wearing the same clothes, and eating the same food. It doesn’t sound very slave-like or at least not how most slaves were treated. He has done a lot of work for a boy and has finally received some special treatment considering he was a slave. At times, he forgot he was a slave. Although he felt happiest at those times, he still had despair deep down hidden away. He knows that there shouldn’t be any enjoyment with getting along with his master and family. He was crying because of his separated sister and here he is enjoying a meal with his owner’s mistress. He feels conflicted with his temporary pleasures vs. separation of his family. Their is guilt in his new pleasure. The more time spent enjoyed as a slave, the less time is spent with what is really important: getting back to the family.

“I was now more miserable, if possible, than before. The small relief which her presence gave me from pain was gone.” (page 51)

This quote was stated by Olaudah Equiano at his worst moments, when his sister was torn apart from him as he was again sold. Equiano presents a sense of calmness and stability when he is with his sister, as he says that he is in no pain when he is around his sister. This just shows that his greatest pain wasn’t because of the kidnapping nor the treatment he received even after striking a chicken in the head with a pebble, rather it was being apart from his sister. Equiano received more emotional pain rather than not, as this line from him is only the first of an entire paragraph in which he stated how he was affected by the loss of his sister.

This line is placed in the beginning of the reading because it is to show that no pain that Equiano suffered was greater than this. In the reading, Equiano shows that he endured much pain over and over again, in many forms and ways, but he never expands and explains how the pain affected him the way he does when talking about the split between him and his sister. I thus believe that this part and this line is the most important line when talking about his pain going through many struggles in his journey of being a slave. He talks about her in a different way in the passage, as if he was talking to her even though she was not there. This is just another emphasis in how pivotal this loss was.