Considerations for Regulating the Exchequer, In the More Timely.

[London?]: Printed by Tho. Harper, 1642. Abuses in the Exchequer Exposed Vernon, C[hristopher] [c.1582-1652]. Considerations for Regulating the Exchequer, In the More Timely Answering, Better Husbanding, And More Orderly and Safe Conduct of the Revenues of the Crown into His Majesties Coffers, As Hath Been Heretofore Used by Sheriffes. And For Freeing the Subject from All Unjust Vexations Concerning the Same. With the Causes and Remedies of the Inconveniences Which Have Been Occasioned by the Breach of the Lawes, And Ancient Course of the Exchequer. As Also For the Better Enabling and Easing of Sheriffes in the Execution of their Offices, And Passing their Accompts. [London?]: Printed by Tho. Harper, 1642. [viii], 118, [2] pp. With a final errata leaf. Octavo (5-1/2" x 3-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, which are skillfully reattached to existing spine, blind tooling to board edges, pastedowns loose. Light rubbing and a few small nicks and scratches to boards, which are slightly bowed, light gatoring near fore-edge of front board, moderate rubbing to extremities, front joint just starting at head, corners lightly bumped and worn, gash to upper corner of rear board. Light toning to interior, very light foxing and soiling to a few leaves. A nice copy. $1,500. * Only edition. One of the earliest legal treatises on the Exchequer, this work exposed flaws and abuses in the revenue system with a particular focus on funds raised from land under the supervision of local sheriffs. Referred to as "custody lands," income from these estates was paid directly to the Clerk of the Pipe and was not audited. Vernon, who served in the Office of the Pipe in the Hereford Exchequer, argued that this made abuses more likely. OCLC locates 5 copies in North American law libraries (Harvard, Northwestern, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Library of Congress). English Short-Title Catalogue R5970.…