England's weal & prosperity proposed: or, Reasons for erecting publick vvork-houses in every county, for the speedy promoting of industry and the woollen manufactory, shewing how the wealth of the nation may be encreased, many hundred thousand pounds per annum. And also that many thousand persons may be so reformed, to their own and the whole kingdoms present and future wealth and glory, that there may no more be a begger bred up in the nation. Humbly offered to the consideration of the great wisdom of the nation, and presented to the honourable House of Commons. By R. Haines. To which is added A model of government for such works houses prepared by the same author, and printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament. Pursuant to a breviate of proposals for the promoting of industry, and speedy restoring the woollen manufactory, by him formerly published.

England's weal & prosperity proposed: or, Reasons for erecting publick vvork-houses in every county, for the speedy promoting of industry and the woollen manufactory, shewing how the wealth of the nation may be encreased, many hundred thousand pounds per annum. And also that many thousand persons may be so reformed, to their own and the whole kingdoms present and future wealth and glory, that there may no more be a begger bred up in the nation. Humbly offered to the consideration of the great wisdom of the nation, and presented to the honourable House of Commons. By R. Haines. To which is added A model of government for such works houses prepared by the same author, and printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament. Pursuant to a breviate of proposals for the promoting of industry, and speedy restoring the woollen manufactory, by him formerly published.

England's weal & prosperity proposed: or, Reasons for erecting publick vvork-houses in every county, for the speedy promoting of industry and the woollen manufactory, shewing how the wealth of the nation may be encreased, many hundred thousand pounds per annum. And also that many thousand persons may be so reformed, to their own and the whole kingdoms present and future wealth and glory, that there may no more be a begger bred up in the nation. Humbly offered to the consideration of the great wisdom of the nation, and presented to the honourable House of Commons. By R. Haines. To which is added A model of government for such works houses prepared by the same author, and printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament. Pursuant to a breviate of proposals for the promoting of industry, and speedy restoring the woollen manufactory, by him formerly published.

Table of contents

[1]

Title page

To the Right Honourable Sir PATIENCE WARD, Knt. Lord MAYOR of LONDON.

England's Weal and Prosperity Proposed: Or, Reasons for the Erecting Publick Work-Houses in every County, &c.

Reason I.

Reason II.

Reason III.

Reason IV.

Reason V.

Reason VI.

Reason VII.

Reason VIII.

Reason IX.

Reason X.

Reason XI.

Reason XII.

Reason XIII.

Reason XIV.

[2]

Title page

A Method of Government for Publick Working Alms-houses, &c.

England's weal & prosperity proposed: or, Reasons for erecting publick vvork-houses in every county, for the speedy promoting of industry and the woollen manufactory, shewing how the wealth of the nation may be encreased, many hundred thousand pounds per annum. And also that many thousand persons may be so reformed, to their own and the whole kingdoms present and future wealth and glory, that there may no more be a begger bred up in the nation. Humbly offered to the consideration of the great wisdom of the nation, and presented to the honourable House of Commons. By R. Haines. To which is added A model of government for such works houses prepared by the same author, and printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament. Pursuant to a breviate of proposals for the promoting of industry, and speedy restoring the woollen manufactory, by him formerly published.[1]

§

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

ENGLAND'S Weal & Prosperity PROPOSED: OR, REASONS For Erecting Publick VVork-Houses In every COƲNTY, For the speedy promoting of Industry and the Woollen Manufactory, shewing how the Wealth of the Nation may be encreased, many Hundred thousand pounds per Annum. And also that many Thousand persons may be so Reformed, to their own and the whole Kingdoms present and future Wealth and Glory, that there may no more be a Begger bred up in the Nation.

Humbly offered to the Consideration of the Great Wisdom of the Nation, and presented to the Honourable HOUSE of COMMONS.

By R. HAINES.

To which is added A Model of Government for such Works Houses prepared by the same Author, and Printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament.

Pursuant to a Breviate of Proposals for the promoting of Industry, and speedy restoring the Woollen Manufactory, by him formerly published.

[...]

[Page]

[Page]

To the Right Honourable Sir PATIENCE WARD, Knt. Lord MAYOR of LONDON.

My Lord,

THough the ensuing Reasons, by the Nature of the Thing, are addressed to the Honourable House of Commons, whereof you are so valuable a Member; It being that Great Council, whose Ʋnited Votes can alone promote with Effect, what is herein humbly offered. Yet, my Lord, by reason this Work is of very great Import, and (as in all such Cases) requires the more time to demonstrate the Value, Ʋsefulness, Necessity and Feaseableness thereof, or otherwise is apt to be neglected or thrown by; Therefore I have taken the boldness to Dedicate the same in particular to your Honour, as a most proper Advocate and Patron, humbly intreating, that as you are a known Publick Spirited Promoter and Encourager of all things tending to the Weal, Safety and Prosperity of the King and Kingdom, so your Honour would be pleased to recommend these Reasons and the Matter Proposed, to that Honourable House, and to improve your Interest to have the same read before them, If after your Perusal, your Honour shall find them worthy of such your Countenance and Approbation; wherein I hope you will do your King, City and Country no inconsiderable Service, as well as a very great Honour to,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most Humble Servant, Richard Haines,

[Page]

England's Weal and Prosperity Proposed: Or, Reasons for the Erecting Publick Work-Houses in every County, &c.

FOrasmuch as our Wool is the main Support of that Trade which maintains and encreases the Wealth, Strength and Glory of the English Nation; therefore, of all Commodities of our own Growth, this ought to be most carefully maintained and encouraged in that way it is THƲS SERVICEABLE, which consists not in the Exportation of unwrought Wooll, nor in the Consumption of our Woollen-Draperies at Home; but in the Exportations of, and quick Markets for our Woollen-Draperies abroad, as fast as they can be made and spared at home; That this may be done, and that for the doing thereof, Publick Work-Houses to be Erected in every County, will be a most certain and effectual Expedient. These following Reasons are prepared for the Satisfaction of all concern'd therein.

Reason I.

Because such Work-Houses (are no New Project, but) have already in Fact proved the best Expedients to bring all. Idle, poor People, Beggars, Vagrants, &c. into such a Habit of Industry, that there is not a Beggar, &c. bred up, or suffered in those Countries where such Houses are Erected and wellgoverned.

Reason II.

Because, without such Houses, in which such poor, and now idle People may be kept to Labour under good Government, it is altogether improbable to convert them to such Habit of industry, and keep them employed in such profitable Manufactures, by which the Trade, Wealth and Safety of the Kingdom may be promoted.

[Page]

Reason III.

Because, as by these Expedients, there may not be any Beggars in the Nation, so shall not they, or any poor People have occasion to complain for want of an honest Employment, Food, Raiment, or Habitation.

Reason IV.

Because, by these Expedients, an Hundred or two Hundred Thousand People may be suddainly converted, to their own, and the Nations present and future Happiness; and as it hath been the fatal Practice of this Nation, to breed up 30 or 40000 persons every Year to be maintain'd for Begging, &c. So by these Expedients, they may breed up every Year successively 30 or 40000 ingenious Cloth-makers, who may convert Wool enough to make as much Cloth as may encrease the Wealth of the Nation many Hundred Thousand pounds per Annum.

Reason V.

Because for want of such Expedients, whereby Industry, and the Woollen Manufactory may be effectually promoted, our Wooll is fallen from 12 d. to 6 d. per pound, by reason that the number of the people at present employed therein, are not able to convert our Wooll half so fast as it grows; so that it seems very unreasonable to prohibit the Exportation of unwrought Wooll, whilst the Expedients by which it may be converted at Home are rejected.

Reason VI.

Because, that as our Clothiers and Merchants do infallibly demonstrate, that the Exportation of unwrought Wooll, hath destroyed our Forreign Markets for the Sale of our Cloth; so it is as easie to be demonstrated, that had not such quantities of English and Irish Wooll been exported, as at present there is in abundance, it would have fallen from 12 d. to 3 d. per pound; because as the Stock of Wooll increases, the Price must decrease. So that there is no way to raise the Price of Wooll, nor yet to keep it up where it is, but either the Nation will be brought to extreme Poverty, or made to encrease mightily in Wealth and Power, viz. either we must Export [Page] our Wooll, asdaily (especially within these last nine Months) we do to those that destroy our Trade thereby, or bring all idle, poor people to Industry, to convert it at Home as fast as it grows; by which means only, our Wooll will soon mount to 12 d. yea, 18 d. per pound, which will also quickly remove the occasion for the Exportation thereof. This being done, the Woollen Manufactures of France, Flanders, &c. will soon be destroyed to that degree, as not to hinder the Sale of ours, seeing they cannot make Cloth without a Mixture of our Wool, but on very unequal Terms (as our Clothiers have affirmed before a Committee of the last Long Parliament.) Wherefore as the ready way to destroy the Wealth and Trade of our Nation, is to export our Wooll, and maintain our many thousands of Poor in Idleness and Debauchery: So the most certain Expedient by which we may revive and regain the Woollen Manufactory, is to prosecute these Expedients that will bring all the people aforesaid to Industry. By which we may raise the price of Wooll at Home, and afford our Cloth and Draperies cheaper than our Supplanters, in Markets Abroad; which is not to be done, but by the Expedients proposed.

Obj. If it be objected, That if our Wool should be raised to 18 d. &c. per pound, then other Nations will under-sell us with Cloth they make of French and Spanish Wooll.

Answ. To this I answer, this cannot be, because the Spanish Wooll is so short and fine, and the French so short and course, that they will neither work together, nor yet apart, without a Mixture of ours, but upon very unequal Terms. The Truth of this is well known and affirmed by Persons of good Judgment and Experience.

Reason VII.

That without these Expedients for promoting Industry, all the Laws and Statutes now in being, can never raise the Price of our Wooll, nor keep it up at the price it now yields, nor yet have it converted at Home, because all the Wooll of England and Ireland is (as it were) monopoliz'd into the Hands of the Clothiers by Act of Parliament, notwithstanding they [Page] cannot by their present course of Trade convert it half so fast as it grows, which being so, they may keep down the price at their pleasure, (they having Power to hang, &c. those that Export it from them, if they could catch them) which intollerable grievance by the Expedients proposed, would most happily be removed, to the great Satisfaction of all that wish well to the Interest of England.

Reason VIII.

Because, by these Expedients, many Hundreds of wellskill'd, but poor decayed Clothiers, who have little or no Stock of their own, may promote this Manufactory in every County, where every one of them may as easily employ 200 People in Work, in such a Publick Honse, as he could Ten elsewhere.

Reason IX.

Because in such Houses a Multitude may be instructed in Art and Skill in short time without Difficulty or Charge: For beginning upon the very coursest: Wooll there can be no Loss, but rather Advantage, because, as the coursest Cloth is as ready Money as the finest, so the greater Quantity is made, the greater will be the Consumption of our Wooll.

But if it be doubted, That by reason of our double encrease of Clothing, there will be want of Market for our Cloth. My Answer in short, is, That if all the Wooll in Europe were converted in England, there would no more Cloth be made than what was before: For what Wooll is not converted here, is converted elsewhere; therefore the Trade for our Draperies will be as good as ever, and much better, seing by the Expedients and Methods proposed, we may make and sell our Cloth cheaper than our Supplanters. That we may under-sell them is plain, because we have greater Advantages than any of them; we having Fullar's Earth, they have none: Our Wooll is the kindest in the World to be converted without mixture of other; but they cannot convert theirs without some mixture of ours, unless upon costly and unequal Terms, for the Reason before-mentioned. Therefore as by the Expedients proposed, we may double our O [...] [...] [Page] we may under-sell them, and encrease and double our Markets proportionably.

As for the Charge, 'tis no more, than as if every Parish were obliged to that which Law and Reason already requires, viz. To provide Habitations and Employments for their chargeable Poor; only with this difference, that in these Houses, far greater Numbers will be employed, and to far greater Advantage when under such Government as will teach them Skill and Art, administring Councel, Encouragement and Correction. So that twice the Work will be done, and less time spent idly, than where they are apart.

Reason X.

Because without these Expedients, the Wealth and Strength of the Nation will unavoidably be invaded and destroyed at the pleasure of those that are our Supplanters, because the Woollen Manufactory is the grand Support of our Trade of Merchandize: For 'tis affirmed by some of very good Knowledge and Judgment, that if all the Manufactures of England that are exported, were divided into Thirteen Parts, the Woollen Manufactures would make Ten of the Thirteen. So that if the Expedients which may promote and uphold the Woollen Manufactory be rejected, and our Supplanters increase in Trade, as of late years they very much have done, then of necessity, our flourishing Trade of Merchandize, which alone encreased our Wealth and Treasure must be destroyed, together with our Seamen and Navies of Ships, to the Hazard and Ruine of the Nation.

But were it so, that we were upon equal Terms with the Dutch in respect of Industry, it is easie to be demonstrated, that England would excell all Nations in the World in that Trade, which is the only Mother and Nurse to bring forth, and encrease Riches, Seamen, and Navies of Ships, &c. as appears, if we consider, that the United Netherlands, notwithstanding their Provisions for Bread, Beer, Flesh, Clothing, Timber, Iron, Materials for Manufactures, &c. together with their vast Expence to maintain their Land against the [...] All which costs them (as 'tis adiudged) at least [Page] ten times more than the Natural Product of their Land is worth; yet we know, that for Trade, Fulness of People, Moneys, Treasure, Seamen and Shipping, they are more famous than any Nation in Europe. But now put Case their Industry were as little as ours, and that they also were to breed up and maintain their Poor for Begging, &c. as we do in England, might we not then infallibly conclude, That within one Age, nay in twenty years they would be the poorest, miserable, and most despicable people in all the world. Wherefore we having all sorts of provisions for Food and Rayment, as it were for nothing, several hundred thousand of people to be employed, and Materials enough of our own likewise for nothing, to make the richest Manufactures. Our Industry, were it but proportionable to that of the Dutch, must needs encrease our Wealth three times more and faster than theirs. So that most plain it is, that Industry, not Money, is the Life of that Trade which encreaseth both Money, Treasure, Seamen, and Shipping.

Furthermore, as these Houses are the Mother of Industry, so 'tis most certain, That for want of the same Expedients, in every 100 l. worth of Wooll exported unwrought, there is 1000 l. losses to the Nation, our Wooll being at 6 d. or 8 d. per pound, as now it is; of which, if any be not satisfied, they may thus demonstrate it to themselves: A yard of Fine Broad-Cloth of 16 s. or 18 s. price will not exceed a pound in weight and the like for fine Worsted Stockins of 6 s. price will not weigh six ounces. So that put Case two pounds of Wooll should be allowed for one pound, yet still every Shilling in Wooll will amount to more than 10 s. in Cloth and Stockins, which is what was to be demonstrated. Thus all this which might so have been got by Workmanship, &c. being ten times the value of the Wooll is clearly lost to the Nation, whilest those that might do it are maintain'd for Begging, &c.

Reason XI.

Because, as by these Expedients Industry, Trade, Treasure, Seamen and Navies will encrease, so the intollerable charge [Page] bred up to such Habit of Industry, as to learn whilst they are young, to gain their Living while they come old, so that it will be very rare to find any chargable, but such as are meer objects of Charity, viz. those that by Infancy, Old Age, or Sickness are uncapable of all kind of Imployment, neither of which continue long.

Reason XII.

Because, (as I have again and again demonstrated by several Printed sheets) by the Expedients proposed, the Wealth of our Nation may increase 30 or 40 hundred thousand pounds per Annum, the greatness of which makes many rash persons contemn all that I have proposed as a thing impossible. Nevertheless upon diligent and repeated Inquiries and deliberate Consideration, I dare affirm, with all Confidence, That it will amount to much more.

1. Because the Returns of our Woollen Draperies that are now Exported do amount to more than Ten Millions per Annum; as is attested by such as are well skilled and experienced in this matter.

2. Wherefore there being as much more English and Irish Wooll to be converted, as is now converted by the present Course of Trade (as most certainly there is.) Then if all the people aforesaid (being double the number of those that are now Imployed therein) were brought to Industry, as by these Expedients they certainly and speedily might, it as certainly follows, That a double quantity of Woollen Draperies would be made.

3. And considering there's none of these Draperies to be deducted out of such our additional Trade to be consumed at home, or to be carried to the dismal low Markets in Golgotha, from whence there are no Returns: but the whole of what is raised by this our New Trade, is to be Exported to such Markets as will afford good and quick Returns.

4. It will therefore, from all this infallibly likewise follow, That if the old, viz. The present Trade of Clothing, af [...] [Page] said doth now bring in more than Ten Millions per Annum; then must the New, out of which there is no defalcations bring in much more.

Which at least amounts to as much as what was to be demonstrated.

But put Case we have not Wooll enough to imploy all the people aforesaid, yet the Expedients still remain unshaken, because we may imploy them in making of Linnen with great Advantage; For as the first will bring Treasure into the Nation; so the other will preserve it from going out, (and then whether our Dead be buried in Woollen or Linnen it matters not.) So that the Case is plain we have Wooll enough, Hemp and Flax enough, Fullers-Earth enough, and Poor People enow, to make Draperies enough to make our Nation to excel1 all Kingdoms in the World in Wealth and Power, Strength and Safety: And as certainly may the same be accomplisht, to the Honour of Almighty God, and happy Reformation of many Thousands, who are bred up in Idleness, and live in all manner of Debauchery, and dye most miserably.

Nor may any Member that wishes well to the Interest of England oppose it: For as for the Landlord, he above all men, ought to promote it, because the Charge properly belongs to the Tenant or Possessor, who is accustomed to contribute to the Relief and Maintenance of the Poor. Nor, Secondly, may the Tenant or Possessor complain, because they will not only be much eased in such their Charge, but vastly advantaged by quick and good Markets, for Wooll, Corn and Cattel, when so many thousands are imployed more than now are, and earn, and pay for all that they eat, drink and wear. Nay, what they now suffer by Hous-rents, Hedg-breaking, Pilfering, and unnecessary Contributions to Beggars, &c. amounts to near as much as will pay for the Building of these Houses: For, put case there be 200000 Beggars and idle, chargeable People in the Nation, and what they eat, drink and wear, amount but to 5 l. per Annum a piece, this amounts to one Million in [...]

[Page]

Reason XIII.

Because the Charge of such Houses of Industry, by which the Wealth of the Nation may encrease so many Millions per Annum, &c. considered as a National Charge, is no Charge at all to the Nation, because the Money that must pay for doing of it, never goes out of the Nation, but like the Blood in its Circulation, remains within the Body for the Comfort and Benefit of every Limb and Member. Nor hath any person reason to think, that his just share of Contribution-money might be better bestow'd, seeing that by this Expedient, his Posterity to all Generations shall be secured from Beggary, so as never to be destitute of a Lawful Imployment, Food, Raiment and Habitation.

Reason XIV.

Because, by these Expedients, His Majesties Revenue, by the encrease of Customes, Poundage and Tollage, cannot amount to less than 100000 l. per Annum, because answerable to the encrease of Trade, so the encrease of Customes will be near proportionable: Wherefore it concerns His Majesty as much as the Nation, to encourage the Expedients that will hasten it.

The greatest Objections raised against this Expedient, proceed from two sorts of men, the one against it, the other for it.

1. Obj. As for the First, all that they alledge centres in this, namely, That the Expedient is impracticable, because people are generally so base, deceitful and dishonest, that one may not trust another; and (say some) Let the Poor beg, starve, steal, and be hang'd and damn'd; it's best for me and mine to keep our Money whilst we have it.

Answ. To this I shall only say, That there is no reason to account that impracticable, which we daily see done before our Eyes by our next next Neighbours, and to say the English are less trusty, is too gross an Affront to be put upon our Country: However, I have offered such a Method for erecting and Manageing these Houses, that it shall be the Interest, as [Page] and effectually to promote the good Ends thereby design'd; and as for the latter part of the Objection, 'tis such a Misery, Uncharitable and Atheistical Folly, as deserves no further Regard.

2. Obj. The most important Objection is of the latter, which calls loud for Answer: We approve (say they) of the thing, but 'tis next to impossible, that this Honourable House should take Cognizance thereof before they have establisht and secured that Religion which God hath appointed for his own Worship and Service, without which, all hope of obtaining his Mercies and Blessings for the Wealth and Prosperity of the Kingdom is in vain.

Answ. To this I answer, First, As to Religion and Worship, that is already establisht by Law, &c. but how to secure this Religion,Exodus 22, 23, 24. Isaiah 1 from the 11. to the 24 verse Isai. 58. from 1. to the 10. v Mark 10. 21, 22, 25. Luke 16. from the 19. to the 31. v. Jer. 18. 7, 8, 9, 10. and Jer. 5, 28, 29. together with the Peace and Safety of the King and Kingdom, depends only upon the Nations Submission unto, and Concurrence with the Will and good Pleasure of God in other Cases, to wit, the good of the Poor, &c. without which, our Religion and Worship, although it be the same which himself hath appointed, is altogether unacceptable, as is most fully declared by all the Prophets, and confirm'd by our Saviour's own words.

We know, that God always had a Nation, Church, and People in all Ages, (although in every Age subject to Error in an high degree) so also there was a Babylon, &c. as a Rod in the Hand of God, to correct them for their wilful Failings and Offences. Litteral-Babylon in the time of the Law, and Mystery-Babylon in the time of the Gospel. The First, to correct his People, Kings and Princes of Israel: And the Last, to correct his own Christian Kings, Princes and Churches under the Gospel. This we know is true, if we believe the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles, and modern Writings. And as true it is also, that the Rod is now in an high manner lifted up against the whole Land, the King, and the Church [Page] appointed; so that Misery, Desolation, Death, and unmerciful Cruelties, do (as it were) stare in our Faces, and nothing remains for our Comfort but this, namely, That this Revengful and Bloody Rod, is in the Hands of a Gracious and Merciful God, who will assuredly throw it into the Fire before it ever hurt us, if the Crying Sins by which his most Holy Majesty is most highly provoked and displeased, be put away, whereof this ever was, and now at this time, is one of the most intollerable and provoking Evils, namely, The lamentable Condition of those many Thousands of Poor People, Widdows, and Fatherless Children, the many Thousands that have been, and are bred up in Ignorance, Idleness, and all manner of Debaucheries, unserviceable to the Nation, unfit for Church-members, and that live and die most miserably. And for this very thing which the Most High could never endure, God was offended, and his Wrath kindled against his own People, their Kings, and Nation, to that Degree, that he abhorr'd their most Solemn Services and Worship which himself had commanded. Yea, when by Fasting, Praying, &c. they cried unto him, he would not hear, nor regard; it was Iniquity, even their Solemn Meeting, until this intollerable thing was effectually reform'd.

Which is an infallible Demonstration, that God hath a greater Regard to the Poor, &c. than he had to the External Religion and Worship which himself commanded: And for this insufferable Crime, he delivered his People into the Hands of the King of Babylon, who worshipped Images, &c. Now that the Sum of this is true, Moses and all the Prophets do testifie. And that the same Love and Care for the one, and his Indignation against the other, remains and continues to this day, is also as certain. Witness our Saviour's Parable of the Rich Man and the Beggar; when the Rich Man, for being regardless of the Beggar's Condition, lift up his Eyes in the Flames of Hell, and finding it impossible to obtain Ease or Relief, made earnest Request in the behalf of his Brethren, That a Messenger might be sent to testifie the Verity of the matter, that they might repent, &c. But behold the Answer [Page] from Heaven was (No, let them alone) they have Moses and the Prophets, viz. their Sayings and Writings) if they will not hear them, neither will they be perswaded if one arose from the Dead. Which doth plainly shew, that the Will and Mind of God, delivered by Moses and the Prophets in this matter, still remains so unchangeable, that if a man should keep all the Commandements of God besides, and offend in this matter, it will profit him nothing: As is positively declared by Christ, when upon this very occasion, he turned himself from the hopeful Rich Man, whom he loved, and said, How hard is it for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of God: It is easier for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle, than for a Rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

So that for a Nation or Person to have more Love or Regard to Worldly Wealth, than to the low and despicable Poor, though Beggars, or to defer the relieving them, appears to be one of the highest provoking Sins for which God will be aveng'd; and to sum up the whole, it amounts to this, that although we worship no false God, nor bow to any Image, but do worship, the true God, according to his Appointments, do Fast, pray, and humble our selves before him, and keep all the rest of his Commandments from our Youth up; yet if we judge not the Cause of the Fatherless, and the Right of the Needy, shall not I visit for these things, saith God? Shall not my Soul be aveng'd upon such a Nation as this?—God Almighty grant that this may never be said of England. And to prevent the dreadful Stroke of Babylon.

May it please this Honourable House,

To Consider, That as National Sins and Provocations incur the Displeasure of Heaven, so likewise to reflect how much this present Parliament may concilliate to themselves and this poor Nation, the Favour and Blessing of the Almighty; and also how gloriously the Renown shall to all Posterity be Recorded; when by one Act more than an Hundred Thousand shall be converted, as it were at once, in your day, to their own, and the whole Nations present and future Happiness [...] [Page] Posterity (yea, every individual in the Kingdom) in all Ages may call you Blessed.

Wherefore if this Honourable House do believe, that what I have with all Humility and Zeal to the Publick, offered to your Grave and Pious Consideration, be well pleasing to God, and accordingly be approved of by this Honourable House (as it is by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, who hath been Graciously pleas'd to declare, that he would be ready in his Station, to encourage it all he could) then my humble Petition to this Honourable House, is,

That I may obtain leave to bring in a Bill, which I have prepared, containing such Clauses, Rules and Methods as may (with such Corrections and Amendments, as this Honourable House shall think meet) in short time compass the Design in such manner, that all Cheats and Frauds may be so far prevented, that the Contributers cannot be injured unless they themselves will willfully be regardless of their own Interest, together with such Rules and Methods for prosecuting the Design, as may for ever secure it from failing or ceasing after it is begun.

FINIS.

England's weal & prosperity proposed: or, Reasons for erecting publick vvork-houses in every county, for the speedy promoting of industry and the woollen manufactory, shewing how the wealth of the nation may be encreased, many hundred thousand pounds per annum. And also that many thousand persons may be so reformed, to their own and the whole kingdoms present and future wealth and glory, that there may no more be a begger bred up in the nation. Humbly offered to the consideration of the great wisdom of the nation, and presented to the honourable House of Commons. By R. Haines. To which is added A model of government for such works houses prepared by the same author, and printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament. Pursuant to a breviate of proposals for the promoting of industry, and speedy restoring the woollen manufactory, by him formerly published.[2]

§

§

§

[Page]

A METHOD OF GOVERNMENT FOR SUCH Publick Working ALMS-HOUSES As may be Erected in every County for bringing all idle hands to Industry. AS The best known Expedient for restoring and advancing the Woollen Manufacture.

HUMBLY Offered to the KINGS most Excellent MAJESTY and both Houses of PARLIAMENT.

BY R. Haines

With Allowance.

[Page]

A Method of Government for Publick Working Alms-houses, &c.

THE Scope or End aimed at, and promised by my former Proposals, is, That all the Wool of England, and what Scotland and Ireland have to spare, may be Manufactured in England, as fast as it grows and arises, on such Terms as that all the Cloth we have to spare, being exported, may find quick Markets as fast as 'tis made.

The Expedients or means to Effect All this; are,

First in General, To bring all poor People and idle hands to Industry.

Secondly, in particular, as the only effectual Way or Method, to do this to the best advantage it is proposed, That two or three, or more, Publick Work-houses be Erected in every County, where all such poor people and idle hands may under good Government be constantly employed in that Manufacture,

Which having been perused and considered by several Publick Spirited Persons, known Promoters of the Nations wealth and safety, they have generally very much approved and encouraged the said Expedient, as most certain, feasible, and effectual to accomplish the great and good ends aforesaid; If I could but propose such a Method of Government in these Work-houses as the Nation may be secured of these four things, viz. The Country from being cheated of their Money raised for erecting and furnishing such Houses; the Poor from being abused; unfit Persons kept from being Officers and bearing Rule in them; and Justice from being wrested so as not to redress Grievances and punish Offenders.

Wherefore (with all submission to better Judgments) I humbly offer such a Method of Government, as far as concerns the preservation of the Stock raised, and prevention of Frauds and Corruptions in Officers, as will, I conceive, remove all Apprehensions of any the before mentioned mischiefs, that so all ju [...]

[Page]Since all Parishes are to contribute to this Work, and every Parishoner is concerned in the Charge, and may reap Benefit by it, if honestly managed, Therefore, because it cannot be imagined that any people will cheat or injure themselves, let each person in every Parish be concerned in or about the Government or Inspection thereof; as follows.

1. That it be Enacted, that all contributing Parishioners, or the greatest part of them, meet Quarterly in their own Parish, and elect one, or more, as their Overseer or Delegates for this Inspection; And so every Parish to chuse and send their Overseers every Quarter of the Year to inspect the State of that house to which they belong. Each Parish neglecting to chuse, to forfeit 5 l. to the Treasury of the said Hospital. Each Overseer to be allowed 2 s. 6 d. a-day by his Parish for the time he is out on this Affair on Horseback; and 1 s. 6 d. being out on Foot, provided that none continue out above 6 or 7 days at one time. Or if this seem too burdensome, two, or three, or more, small Parishes may joyn to this purpose as one.

2. That these Overseers, being Assembled, may have full Power to elect Governours, prescribe Rules and Orders, chuse Trustees, appoint Officers, enquire into the Welfare of their respective Poor there, hear and redress their Grievances, see that they be not abused or discouraged, reform all disorders, call each Officer or Trustee to an account, turn them out, and elect new ones as often as they think necessary, &c. To which purpose they may subdivide themselves into several Companies, and dispatch much business in little time.

3. That all men in this Assembly may be of equal Authority, and no one person over-rule the rest, who shall likewise before they are admitted, oblige themselves by Oath, or solemn Promise made before a Magistrate, to do those things that are just and honest, to suffer no wrongs or injuries to pass uncorrected, to do nothing for favour or prejudice, but to perform all that lies in his power for the safety and publick good of the Stock and House, and to give a [...] [Page] ted to have any Office there, but that for the encouragement of such as are sent to the House to earn their Living, all inferior Offices or Places of Preferment may be conferred on such of the House as most deserve it, if capable.

5. That if it be known any Person or Persons, directly or indirectly, hath given or taken any Bribe or Fee, or offered so to do, in order to obtain or confer any Office or Trust, or do improve his Interest to promote or continue any dishonest scandalous person in Office, then every such Person shall thenceforth for ever be incapable of having or holding any Office in the said Work-houses, or giving his Voice concerning the same in any meeting of the Parish or Overseers.

6. That the Assembly of Overseers, with the Assistance of a Magistrate, have power to injoyn all Officers and Trustees of the house, either by Oath or solemn Promise, that they shall act according to such Rules and Orders as shall be agreed on in the said Assembly; that they shall not conceal any ill Practises in any but discover them to the next Quarterly Assembly: That they shall every Quarter give a fair and just Account to that Assembly of all Moneys by them received or disbursed; what Goods they buy or sell, and the quantity and prizes, and what Goods or Money they have in their Custody; And that any one breaking such their Oath or solemn Promise shall be punisht as in the Case of Perjury; and besides, the Offender to make satisfaction, for what he hath detained, imbeziled, or defrauded, to the house, or those that intrusted him.

7. That the Overseers neglecting at the time appointed to use their utmost endeavour to take a true and just account of all persons intrusted, or failing to deliver a true account thereof to their respective Parishes, shall forfeit five pound a-piece, to be paid to the Treasury of the Hospital.

8. That for the building and first stocking such Work-houses, every Parish, or Parishes united, shall (till the same are finisht and Government settled) send their Overseers every Fortnight, or Month, who shall carry the proporti [...] [Page] rying on the work, shall be chosen by such Overseers, and be accountable to them till the house be finisht and settled.

9. That if any difference arise between the Overseers of the Parishes, and the Trustees of the House, it shall be refered to a meeting of the respective Parishes, concern'd in such Workhouse; And in case the like difference arise between the Parishioners and their Overseers, the same be referr'd to the next quarter Sessions, or if it require speed, then to two Justices, one to be chosen by the Parish, the other by the Overseers; Provided none shall have power to hinder the Parish or Parishes from chusing such Overseers as they shall think most fit to be trusted; or turning out such as they find dishonest.

10. That every Parish, and Parishes united, do bring a fair account of what Moneys are Collected for the present year, and how disposed of, what remains in hand, and what poor they relieve at home, and in the Hospital, to the Justices at their Easter sitting, after the manner now practised.

11. That the Parishes united shall be equally Taxt at a poundrate for the relief of their poor, and that their Taxes and accounts be confirm'd by the Justices, and that the Justices may in join the Parishes to contribute what is fit, when otherwise they refuse, and that any poor Inhabitant when abused, and cannot be Redress'd, may make his case known to the Justice, when the Governors or Overseers shall refuse to do their Office.

This Method of Government or Inspection I humbly offer as most safe, because from head to foot the Interest of one Member hath its dependance on the other.

1. 'Tis the Interest of each Parish to Elect honest Overseers,

2. 'Tis the Interest of these Overseers to Act righteous things, and Elect honest Trustees, not only because, if they betray their Trust, they are in danger of punishment and dishonour, but also, because their own private Interest lies at stake in the Common interest of their Parishes.

3. 'Tis the Interest of the Officers & Trustees, whether Honest men or Knaves, to do honestly, because then they may con [...], [Page] they cannot hope to conceal their misdemeanors, and then must be severely corrected, and pay dearly for it.

Thus much for the Form of Government, as to the Governors; I shall now add a few words concerning the Persons to be Governed; The rather for that our design is abusively Represented, as if we intended these houses to be places of Slavery, and to keep people per force there all their Lives, whereas we propose only this.

1. That the Children of all poor people, who are Chargeable to the Parish, be without abuse imployed in these Houses at six years old and upwards, and all Impotent people who are capable of imployment, and do not Earn their livings at home, having no Children under the Age of six years to be maintained.

2. That the Men-children brought up in these Houses have their Liberty to go to Trades, or Husbandry, when they come to the age of 18. years. And the Maiden-Children liberty at the same age to learn Housewifry.

3. That all Beggars, Vagrants &c. who have no habitation, nor will earn their Livings in any lawful Imployment, be placed there.

4. That all dangerous persons, Criminals, &c. Whom the law condemns to be hang'd, &c. (Except in the Case of Murther and Treason) especially such as are guilty of Perjury & Forgery, may be confined to these Houses during Life, or for a certain Term of years, to serve the publick, being able by their Labour to maintain as many more as themselves.

5. That all Debtors in prison, not able to pay their Debts, or maintain themselves (whereof many hundreds there are ready to starve) may remove themselves to this Hospital, where they may live Comfortably and be Instruments for publick good.

These are the persons that may compose & fill up these Houses. As for the Officers way of providing their Diet, Cloaths, and other circumstances, we need not here particularize, Christs Hospital, or the like Foundation, may afford a good President for [...] to imitate. [...] [Page] like, which to prevent the most happy Reformation and Weal of our Nation, remains a Gazing-stock to discourage all publick Spirits, as the Devil and self-interested people would have it, The same ought to be no plea or obstruction to what we propose. For,

1. That which rendred that and other Houses unsuccessful, was the ill-government thereof, but such regular method of Government as we have offered, at least with some amendments, will prevent all such inconveniencies.

2. As for that House, 'tis nothing strange that it did miscarry, rather it would have been strange if it had not; since the persons governing such Houses ought to be inferior to those by whom they are intrusted, that the latter may speedily bring them to account, and if they find any one dishonest, correct and turn him out of doors; whereas the Governors of Clerkenwell house were great men, and authorized to raise money at pleasure, not to be corrected, but by Act of Parliament, &c. So that their quality, and business, or want of honesty, hindred them from using that inspection over inferior Officers as was necessary, and when money came into their hands, and was diverted who could force them to an account?

3. If this be a precedent of ill-success, and only for the reason aforesaid, we can shew you many precedents in Holland, &c. of such Work-houses erected & managed with good-success; nay there is scarce any thing contributes more to the wealth and strength of that Nation, than their prudence and industry in this respect; but there they are managed not by Grandees, as Clerkenwell was to be, but by honest laborious men, who if they fail in their duty are forthwith severely corrected. A person intrusted in a Spin-house in Amsterdam, was publickly whipt and turn'd out of doors for being partial, viz. because by his connivance a young woman, who was sent thither to work for her living, made her escape. Another Officer was whipt and committed to the Rasp-house, for diminishing what was allowed for the comfortable maintenance of the Poor. At Leiden I saw a fellow most severely whipt upon a Scaffold, erected for [Page] thousands, and after committed to the Rasp-house, for that he under pretence of being zealous to serve the States, inricht himself by abusing and oppressing the Poor. 'Twas for want of such strict Government Clarkenwell, &c. came to naught.

4. If because that House, meerly for want of right method, and persons of fit qualifications to govern it, miscarried, therefore no such Houses must be made use of; may not our Merchants as well conclude, that because some Ships, for want of an honest fit Master or skilful Pilot, have been cast away; therefore tho there be men enough whose qualifications and integrity are sufficient, yet they will never venture to send forth any more Ships; If you say the case is different, for tho the Houses have failed, yet we know most of our Ships return safe, then I may return you the same answer; In Holland none of these Houses fail, therefore if we take right method of government, our Houses will not fail so often as our Ships, and will become as profitable to the Kingdom, for if the Houses prosper, to be sure our Shipping will increase, therefore whoever is an enemy to these Houses, is as great an enemy to the encrease of our Ships and Seamen, and consequently an enemy to the true, Wealth, Safety and Interest of the English Nation.

At least since this expedient is no new Project, but dayly practised with extraordinary success and advantage by our Neighbors; 'Tis humbly hoped that the same shall not be contemned or rejected by any, before they have first found out, and demonstrated some more certain, effectual and feasible expedients to accomplish the work in hand, and by the proposer humbly offered, viz. To convert all the Wool of England, and what Scotland and Ireland have to spare, into Cloth, on such terms as to vend the Cloth as fast as 'tis made, whereby 30 of 40 hundred thousand pounds, per annum, may be gain'd to the Nation, and all poor people bred up to such an habit of industry, that for the future a Beggar may not be seen in the Kingdom; but neither they their childrens children shall ever want a lawful [...]. [Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

England's weal & prosperity proposed: or, Reasons for erecting publick vvork-houses in every county, for the speedy promoting of industry and the woollen manufactory, shewing how the wealth of the nation may be encreased, many hundred thousand pounds per annum. And also that many thousand persons may be so reformed, to their own and the whole kingdoms present and future wealth and glory, that there may no more be a begger bred up in the nation. Humbly offered to the consideration of the great wisdom of the nation, and presented to the honourable House of Commons. By R. Haines. To which is added A model of government for such works houses prepared by the same author, and printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament. Pursuant to a breviate of proposals for the promoting of industry, and speedy restoring the woollen manufactory, by him formerly published.

Haines, Richard, 1633-1685.

Edition statement

1680

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A43803

ID [STC]

Wing H200A

ID [STC]

ESTC R218612

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99830189

ID [PROQUEST]

99830189

ID [VID]

34639

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A43803)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 34639)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1641-1700 ; 1778:23a)

Source

— England's weal & prosperity proposed: or, Reasons for erecting publick vvork-houses in every county, for the speedy promoting of industry and the woollen manufactory, shewing how the wealth of the nation may be encreased, many hundred thousand pounds per annum. And also that many thousand persons may be so reformed, to their own and the whole kingdoms present and future wealth and glory, that there may no more be a begger bred up in the nation. Humbly offered to the consideration of the great wisdom of the nation, and presented to the honourable House of Commons. By R. Haines. To which is added A model of government for such works houses prepared by the same author, and printed in the year (79) intended to have been presented to the last Parliament. Pursuant to a breviate of proposals for the promoting of industry, and speedy restoring the woollen manufactory, by him formerly published., Haines, Richard, 1633-1685..

Extent

16 p.

s.n.,. [London :: 1680]. (Includes Wing (CD-ROM, 1996) H201A, A method for government for such publick almshouses ... [London, Langley Curtis, 1679].) (Imprint from Wing.) (Imperfect: entire tract cropped at foot, with loss of imprint and considerable text.) (Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.