Royal Institutions:
Being Proposals for ARTICLES To Establish and Confirm Laws, Liberties, & Customs OF Silver & Gold Mines, TO ALL The KING's Subjects, in such Parts of AFRICA, and AMERICA, which are Now (or Shall be) Annexed to, and Dependant on the CROWN of England.
With Rules, Laws, and Methods of Mining, and Getting of Precious Stones; The Working and Making of Salt-Petre; And also, The Digging and Getting of Lead, Tin, Copper, and Quick-Silver Oars, in Any or Either of those Countries; Whereby Navigation, and Trade, with the Subjects Interest and Riches, together with the CROWN's Revenues, would be greatly Encreased, in a little Time.
Most Humbly Offered to the Consideration of the King's most Excellent Majesty, & this Present Parliament.
By Thomas Houghton, of Lime Street.
Licensed, DANIEL POPLAR.
LONDON, Printed for the Author, 1694.
TO THE KING's MOST Excellent Majesty; Together, with the Present PARLIAMENT Assembled this Thirtenth Day of February, 1693/4.
In all Humility, most Humbly I inform You
THere is nothing more Certain and True, Than that there are many [Page]extraordinary Rich Veyns, Mines, and Mineral Countries, in some Parts of America, which are now Annexed to and Dependant on the CROWN of England; (the Experience and Truth of which, nothing but want of Skill in Mineral Affairs, and Incredulity, can or will deny); which Veyns and Mines, if they was Sought for, and [Page]Set to Work, by any that understands them, would undoubtedly, in a little Time, prove as Rich as any the Spaniards have in Peru, or on the North Side of the Aequinox, in New-Spain; and, in a few Years, would produce and raise great Quantities of Silver, Gold, Copper, and other Valuable Things, to the great Content and Satisfaction [Page]of the English; provided there was any Regular LAWS, RULES, and METHODS Settled, for Working, and Carrying on the said Mines; by which LAWS, the Enterprisers, or Undertakers thereof, might Enjoy and Secure their Rights, Interests, and Properties therein, to Them, their Heirs, and Assigns, after they have [Page]been at the Cost and Charges of Finding and Discovering the said Mines. But, as the Royalties thereof stand, at present, (in their respective and separate Grants from the CROWN) to a few PROPRIETORS, who formerly hath not, at present doth not, nor hereafter, in all Probability, will not use any effectual Ways and Means to Work an Discover [Page]the same; whereby this excellent Undertaking hath hitherto been Neglected and Slighted, and is yet rendred Impracticable to all English-Men; and so will remain to Posterity; by which) many Rich Veyns and Mines have been, are, & will be of no Benefit; but continue Void, and utterly Lost, unless some further Care be taken, than yet [Page]hath been, for Settling and Methodizing the same: The evil Circumstances of which; hath been, is, and will be, if not remedied, an unvaluable Loss to the English Nation, in Neglecting to give all due Encouragement to improve this Honourable Enterprize; which would greatly encrease the Revenues of the CROWN, and advance the English Nation's Interest, [Page]to an unspeakable Degree, in a little Time. Therefore, that the King's most excellent Majesty, in his Princely Wisdom, together with this Present Parliament, would be Graciously Pleased to take it into Consideration, and amend this Mischief, by making the following ARTICLES, (or some such other, as the Government shall approve [Page]off) for Standing LAWS, and CUSTOMS, to be Observed and Practised by all the KING's Subjects in America; whereby the Enterprize would become National to the English Posterity, and every Free-Born Subject have Liberty to Seek, Find, and Enjoy the Fruit of his Labours; Paying to the CROWN, the Duties and Reservations here-after mentioned, [Page]Is the sole Desire, and earnest Request of.
ROYAL Institutions.
Article I.
THAT it is the Right and Prerogative of the CROWN, to Elect and Choose an Officer, and Officers, for [Page 2]the Management of the Royal Treasures, when and where Occasion doth or shall require, to take the Care and Charge of the KING's Part, in all Royal Mines; and also, in all Mines of Base Metal, where the Royalties yet remain annexed to the Crown; Which Officer, and Officers, shall be Sworn [Page 3]to do Right and Justice, as much as in Him or Them lieth, (according to the best of his or their Skill and Knowledge) between his Soveraign Majesty the KING, and the Miner, Maintainer, or Venturer; and also, between Miner and Miner, and Miner and Maintainer of such Mines; and shall either [Page 4]Himself, or by his or their Lawful Deputy or Deputies, duly Execute, and faithfully put in Practice, amongst the Miners and Adventurers, and all other of the KING's Subjects, these ARTICLES, as Rules, Laws, and Customs, fit to be kept and observed, in all Parts of Africa, America, [Page 5]or the West-India Islands, where any Silver or Gold Mines, or any other Mines of Tin, Lead, Copper, Quick-Silver, Precious Stones, and Salt-Petre, shall be Found, Dug, Made, and Discovered hereafter; which Officer shall be called the Bar-Master; and shall remain Overseer and Superviser of the Royal [Page 6]Mines, and other Mines of Base Metal, for the KING's Part, during his Majesty's Pleasure.
Article II.
THAT all or any of the KING's Subjects, of what Degree, Quality, or Estate [Page 7]soever they be, shall have full Power, & free Liberty to Dig, Delve, Work, Mine and Break up Ground in any of the Countries afore-said, to seek for Silver, Gold, Lead, Tin, Copper, Quick-Silver, Precious Stones, and Salt-Petre, in any Part or Place whatsoever, Houses, Orchards, Gardens, and [Page 8]Enclosures of Sugar-works excepted, upon the Terms and Conditions following: That is to say, He or they who findeth them, or any of them, shall pay to the KING's Officer, for the Use of the KING, in Oars ready drest, and cleansed from the Earth, Stone, and Rubbish, made fit for Smelting, [Page 9]Melting, and Refining; Of all Gold and Silver Oars, one Sixth Part; And of all Lead, Tin, Copper, Quick-Silver-Oars, and Precious Stones, one Twelfth Part; And of all Salt-Petre, every Twelfth Tunn: For Payment of which Sixth and Twelfth Parts, as afore-said, every Miner, Maintainer, or any [Page 10]of the KING's Subjects, shall have free Liberty to Dig, Work, & Break up Grounds in any of the Countries afore-said; except in such Places, as is before excepted.
Art. III.
THAT all Rakes, or Veyns of Silver or Gold, Lead, Tin, Copper, and Quick-Silver, and all Pipes and Flat-Works of Precious Stones, or Salt-Petre, shall, in three Days Time next after they, or any of them are [Page 12]found, be possest with one pair of Stowes or more, by the Owners of first Finders thereof; and Notice shall be given, or sent to the KING's Officer, by Word of Mouth or Writing, concerning the same, within three Months Time next after such Veyn or Veyns, Rake or Rakes, Pipe or Pipes, [Page 13]Flat-Work or Flat-Works are Found and Discovered; and, for want of such Officer, to the Minister of the Parish, or the next Magistrate, or Justice of the Peace, or Governour of the Place, where such Mines are Found, who shall immediately go or send his Deputy to the said Mine, Rake, Veyn, [Page 14]Pipe, or Flat-Work, and shall there Measure out as many Meers of Ground, as the Owner or Owners thereof have Stowes set in quiet Possession; which Meers of Ground he shall deliver to the first Finder, or Owners thereof, and shall Register that Veyn, Rake, Pipe, or Flat-Work, by [Page 15]such Name, as the Owners think fit to give it; the Miner, Owner, or Finder thereof Paying to the Bar-Master, or his Deputy, Ten Shillings for every Meer of Ground he or they shall so Measure out and Register; each Meer of Ground containing Twenty Nine Yards of Ground in Length: Upon every [Page 16]of which Meer of Ground, a pair of Stowes shall stand to keep Possession, as aforesaid, within which Length of Ground, no Person or Persons shall presume to Work, Dig, or Break u [...] Ground, in Order to get Oar therein, without the Leave and Consent of the Owner, or first Finder thereof, [Page 17]whether Gold, or any other Metal whatsoever.
Art. IV.
THAT it is, and shall be, Lawful for any Person to Cross, Stow, and take Possession of either of the Extreams or Ends [Page 18]of all Rakes, Veyns, Pipes and Flat-Works so found, where the Right and Possession of the next Owner expires, either at the Measuring out of the first Meers of Ground, or before; and he who shall first break Ground by the Making of a Cross or Crosses, and shall Own and Prove himself to [Page 19]be the first Taker at the Finder, or to him or them that Holdeth and Enjoyeth the next Possession, and shall set on one pair of Stowes or more, within Three Days Time next after the Making of such Cross or Crosses, or breaking of Ground, shall be Judged and Concluded to have the [Page 20]Right. Interest, and Possession of the next Ten Meers of Ground in the same Rake, Veyn, Pipe, or Flat-Work, there-unto adjoyning, at whither End or Side soever it is, or shall be; provided he or they shall and do set on the other Nine pair of Stowes, within Three Days Time next after [Page 21]the Making of such Cross or Crosses; and shall Pay the Bar-Master, or his Deputy, Ten Shillings for Registering and Measuring out each Meer of Ground; at which Time, Stakes shall be driven down, or Marks made to determine and shew the End of the same. But if he or they, who have [Page 22]made such Cross or Crosses, and broken Ground, Neglect or Refuse to set on One Pair of Stowes or more, where such Cross or Crosses was made, within Three Days Time next after the Making thereof; that then it shall be free & lawful for any other Person to Cross, Take, and Set on Stowes, [Page 23]and Possess those Ten Meers of Ground, and shall Hold and Enjoy the same to himself, or his Assigns, giving the Bar-Master, or his Deputy, Notice thereof, and Paying for Registering and Measuring these Meers of Ground, as afore-said. And thus every one shall be served, sooner or later, in the same [Page 24]Rake, Veyn, Pipe, or Flat-Work, whether it be Silver, Gold, Lead, Tin, Copper, Quick-Silver, Precious Stones, or Salt-Petre, according to his or their Antiquity of Crossing, or Breaking of Ground, and Setting on of Stowes, as is aforesaid.
Art. V.
THAT after the Ground is Possest with Stowes, Measured, Marked out, and Registered, if any Man's Stowes be Stol'n off, and taken away by any Malicious Person, or by any Indirect Way or [Page 26]Means shall be Carried or Taken from the Places where they or any of them Stood, That it shall not be Lawful for any Person or Persons to Set his or their Stowes, or Possess the same Ground, or to Work therein, or in any Part of it, for three Months Time next after; and at the End of the three [Page 27]Months, he or they who desires to be Owners and Possessors of the same, shall go or send to the Bar-Master, or his Deputy, or to the Minister of the Parish, or to some other Person, as aforesaid, and acquaint him or them therewith; where-upon the Officer or Person, so acquainted, shall [Page 28]Write or send to the late Owner or Owners thereof, to whom the Right of those Meers of Ground did belong, or to some of his or their Agents; and shall give them Notice, That unless he or they set on New Stowes upon those Meers of Ground, and Dig or Work in some Part of it, within three [Page 29]Months Time next after such Notice given. That his or their Right in and to those Ten Meers of Ground will be given away: But if the Bar-Master, or other Officer, knows not how or where to Write or Send to such Owner or Owners, nor any of their Agents, to give him or them Notice thereof, Then the [Page 30] Bar-Master, or his Deputy, shall go to that Ground, and shall take Three or Four Persons along with him, and shall there make open PROCLAMATION, upon the Mine, some Time of the Day, between the Hours of Eight of the Clock in the Morning, and Two in the Afternoon, in the [Page 31]hearing of such Persons as go along with him, That unless the late Owner, or Owners thereof, shall set on new Stowes, and make Workman-ship in some Part of those Meers of Ground, within Three Months Time next after such PROCLAMATION, so that the Mine may be set forwards, and [Page 32]wrought for the Publick Good of the KING, and his Subjects: That for such Neglect, those Ten Meers of Ground in that Rake, Veyn, Pipe, or Flat-Work, will be given away to others, and his or their Names, that was late in Possession, will be raced out of the Register, and new Owners [Page 33]put into Possession, and their Names Registered: And this PROCLAMATION shall determine the Right and Interest thereof. And furthermore, Every Person and Persons whatsoever, having Possest and Stowed up the Ground, as afore said, whether it be Rake, Veyn, Pipe, or Flat-Work, [Page 34]shall do and perform some actual Work, by Digging and Mining, in some Part of that Ground, in Twelve Months Time next after it is so Stowed and Possest, as afore-said; or else it is, and shall be, Lawful to and for the Bar-Master, or the KING's Officer, to throw off those Stowes, so set [Page 35]on, and to set on the Stowes of any other Person that shall desire that Ground; to the End, That the Mines may not lye Waste and Neglected; but that the KING, and the Publick, may Receive the Benefit thereof.
Art. VI.
THAT no Person or Persons, Society or Societies of Men, shall take up or Possess above Forty Meers of Ground together, in any Rake, Veyn, or Pipe-Work, without leaving an [Page 37]Interval, or Space of Ten Meers of Ground at least, for other Adventurers; for the Reason of giving all the KING's Subjects Encouragement to Venture, and to set the Field or Mine more fully at Work, for the Publick Good. But in all Flat-Works of Gold, or any of the before — mentioned [Page 38] Metals, Minerals, Stones, or Salts, every Man shall have as many Meers of Ground, as he or they have sett-on Stowes, being Twenty Nine Yards Square, upon the Superficies of the Ground, for every Pair of Stowes; and for every Man successively, sooner or later, according to [Page 39]his or their Taking, Stowing, and Working the same, as afore-said.
Art. VII.
THAT all Miners, and Adventurers, shall have the Timber of the Countrey, [Page 40](where the Grounds are not enclosed) for the use of their Mines, to Work and Uphold the same, and to Smelt and Refine their Oars with, or to do and perform any other Service or Business, their Occasions shall require, in and about the Mines; And Liberty to Dress, Wash, and Cleanse their [Page 41]Oars from the Earth, and Rubbish, whether they be Silver, Gold, Copper, or any other Metal, Stones, or Salt, as before-mentioned, in the most fit and convenient Places they can find; and shall Build, and set up Smelting Mills, or Melting and Refining Houses for the same; and shall have Ways, [Page 42]with free Egress and Regress, to Pass and Repass, to and from the Mines, with any Carriages; and the Benefit of the Water, where-ever they shall find it. And when the Oars shall be Cleansed from the Earth, and Rubbish, and made fit for Melting and Refining, before any of the Oar [Page 43]is Removed, Conveyed, and Carried away from the Ground, where it is got, to Smelt, or Refine, or any other Ways to be disposed off by the Owners, Diggers, or Getters of the same; The KING's Officer, or his Deputy, or some such Person, as is before-mentioned, shall be sent for, to Measure [Page 44]or Weigh the same. And when the Bar-Master, or his Deputy, hath taken the Sixth Part of all Gold and Silver Oars, and the Twelfth Part of all Copper, Lead, Tin, and Quick-Silver Oars, and the like for Precious Stones, and Salt-Petre, as afore-said, for the Use of the KING; Then the Miner, or [Page 45] Maintainer, shall have Liberty to Sell and Dispose of the Rest, to his or their best Advantage; or to Smelt and Refine the same, as he or they that Owns them think fit; And after it is made into Copper, Lead, or Tin, shall and may (if he or they please) Smoke off the Base Metal, or Refine their [Page 46]Oars, before they are Melted, by Quick-Silver, or Corrosive-Waters, or any other Way, to the best of his or their Advantage, according as his or their Skill and Judgment shall direct them, either in Oars, or in Metal, as he or they think fit.
Art. VIII.
THAT if it shall so happen, that Two Veyns of Silver, Gold, Copper, or any other Metal, shall run or go along One by the Side of Another, and shall be parted by a Rither or Rock [Page 48]of Stone Three Foot Thick, or more; That then they shall be Held and Accounted for Two Rakes or Veyns; and he or they that Found the First Veyn, shall Hold and Enjoy that in his or their own Right; for each Pair of Stowes, a Meer of Ground, as is before-said: And so likewise shall he or [Page 49]they that Found and Discovered the other Veyn or Rake, so runing near, and going along by the Side of the Veyn first Found, according to his or their Crossing, Taking, and Possessing of the same with Stowes, one Meer of Ground for each Pair of Stowes; and so every Man, sooner or later, [Page 50]according to his or their Taking and Stowing. But if these Two Rakes or Veyns run One into Another, and continue so, or go so near together, that the Rither or Rock, which parts them, may be got, without Blasting and Blowing down of the same Rock with Gun-Powder; Then they [Page 51]shall be Taken, Held, and Accounted for one Veyn; and he or they that was the first Finders, or Owners of the Veyn first Found, shall Enjoy the same, so long as they continue thus together: But if these two Rakes, or Veyns, or any other Rake or Veyn, Intersect and Cross one another Diametrically, [Page 52]as thus, + or obliquely, in this manner,
He that first comes to, and finds the Place, or Point of Intersection, shall Hold and Enjoy the same: That is to say, He shall Hold and Enjoy his own Veyn, as A.—A. in his own Right, and Three Foot of either [Page 53]Side into the Veyn B—B, as far as the Black Spots.. beyond which, being Three Foot, of either Side, from the Point of Intersection, towards B—B, he shall not Work, upon the Pain of Forfeiting the double Value of the Oar got therein, without any Cost or Charges to [Page 54]the Wronged Person, if that Veyn or Rake B—B belong to any other Person or Persons; and this Point of Intersection shall be called the P, to distinguish it: But if the Veyn B—B be a New Veyn, and no other Person in Possession of it; Then it is, and shall be Lawful for the Finder [Page 55]thereof to Take and Possess it, and Hold it in his own Right. And if any Person shall Work upon the Front and Forefield of another Man's Rake or Veyn, and shall be thought and judged to Work in the same Veyn that another Man, at some Distance, had first in Work, and was Possest [Page 56]of; Then the Person that thinks himself Wronged, shall apply himself to the Bar-Master, or his Deputy, and desire him to keep an Account of all the Oar got therein; and before the Getters, or Owners thereof, shall carry it, or any of it away, or shall Smelt, Melt, or Refine any of the same into Silver, [Page 57]Gold, or any other Metal, he or they shall give Bond to the Owners of the first Veyn, That, if by Workmanship, in Length of Time, these Two Places proves to be one and the same Veyn, to return the full value of the Oar got therein, to the Owners or Finders of the first Veyn, without Stoping [Page 58]or Deducting any Cost or Charges for Getting the same; and if he or they refuse to give Bond, then the Oar shall be Stopt, and Seized for the Use of the first Owners, by the Bar-Master, or his Deputy, till further Workmanship shall make the Truth appear, whether they be one and [Page 59]the same Veyn or no; and to whether of them, the Place in Question and Dispute, doth appertain and belong.
Art. IX.
THAT whereas it is most Natural and Customary, for [Page 60] Gold to lye in the Earth in Flat-Work; therefore, when any Gold, Silver, Copper, or the Oars of any other Metal, shall be found to lye in Flat-Work, he or they who first Findeth the same, and Crosseth, Breaketh Ground, and Sets on Stowes within Three Days Time next after such Flat-Work [Page 61]is Found, shall have as many Meers of Ground in that Flat-Work, as he or they shall Set on Stowes in Three Days Time next Ensuing the Finding, Crossing, and Taking thereof, each Meer of Ground containing Twenty Nine Yards of Ground Square, upon the Superficies; within [Page 62]which Length and Compass of Ground, no other Person or Persons shall presume to Dig, Work, or Carry the same away, without the Leave and Consent of the first Finder, or Owners thereof. But if any other Person or Persons, shall find any other Veyn or Veyns, Rake or Rakes, that [Page 63]shall sink Perpendicular or Hadeing, within the Limits or Compass of that Ground so Taken, Possest, and Stowed up for Flat-Work, as afore-said; That then it is, and shall be Lawful to and for the first Finders, or Owners of those Rakes, and Veyns, to Hold, Work, and Enjoy the same, & all the Product [Page 64]thereof, that shall be got within the Compass and Bounds of those Rakes or Veyns, without any Disturbance or Hindrance from or by the Owners or Masters of the Flat-Works; because such Rakes and Veyns lye in the Earth after another Manner, and Nature, quite different to Flat-Works, [Page 65]and are Separate Things; And so (successively) every one in the same Rakes or Veyns, according to his or their Taking, and Possessing with Stowes, sooner or later, shall be served, Hold and Enjoy the Meers of Ground so Taken, and Possest, in those Rakes and Veyns. And if there [Page 66]be no Veyns or Rakes Found within that Compass of Ground, so Taken and Possest for Flat-Work, but the Flat-Work shall continue, and extend it self, bearing Gold, or the Oars of any other Metal, further, and beyond the Limits of the Ground so Possest with Stowes, as afore-said, for Flat-Works; [Page 67]That then the first and next Taker, Possessor, and Stower of the next adjoyning Ground, shall Hold and Enjoy as many Meers of Ground, each Meer containing Twenty Nine Yards of Square Ground upon the Superficies, as he or they have Taken, and Set on Stowes for the [Page 68]same Flat-Work, within the Time afore-said; and so, successively, every other Person or Persons shall be served, sooner or later, according to his or their Taking, Possessing, and Stowing up of the same Flat-Work; be it in Gold Mines, or in Seams and Beds of Salt-Petre, or Precious [Page 69]Stones lying in the Earth, Soyl, or Rocks, in Flat-Works, as afore-said; or any other Metal and Oars, lying in the same manner whatsoever.
Art. X.
THAT where any Oars shall be got, made, and run into Copper, Lead, Tin, or Quick-Silver, all and every Part of those Metals, that shall be used and spent in the Countrey, where they [Page 71]are got, shall Pay no other Duty to the KING, but only that before-mentioned; for the Reason of giving the Inhabitants, and Adventurers, all the Encouragement, that may be, to Work the Mines, and to Carry on the Field. But if the Finders, Getters, or Owners thereof, or any other Person, shall [Page 72]have a mind, and finds it for his or their Benefit and Advantage, to Transport and Ship them, or any of them, from the Countries where they are got, to other Places beyond the Seas, he or they that Ships them, shall Pay for every Tunn of Copper so Shipt, Twenty Shillings to the KING's [Page 73]Officer, for the Use of the KING; and the same Sum of Twenty Shillings the Tunn, for Salt-Petre, and Tin; and Five Pounds for every Tunn of Quick-Silver so Shipt off, and Transported from the Countries where they are got: For the Payment of which Duties, and the Twelfth Part or Caract of all [Page 74] Precious Stones, as afore-said, All Diggers, Finders, Owners, Buyers, Adventurers, or Dealers therein, or in any of them, shall have free Liberty to Sell, Ship, and Transport them to any Part or Place whatsoever, to the best of his or their Advantage.
ALL which Methods, Rules, and Articles, that they, and every of them, may be Enacted, Established, and Confirmed by the King's [Page 76]most Excellent Majesty, and this present Parliament, now Assembled, as LAWS and CUSTOMS, hereafter to be Practised, Used, and Observed by all the Subjects of the [Page 77]Crown of England, in all Parts of Africa, and America, for the Discovering, Working, and Carrying on any of the Mines beforementioned, when and where they, or any of them, shall [Page 78]be Found, is the most Humble Petition and Request of a well-Wisher to the Nation's Interest,
Postscript.
TO THE LORDS Spiritual and Temporal, Together with the COMMONS, Assembled in this present PARLIAMENT.
IT is Worth your Thoughts & Considerations, to Enquire [Page 80]into the Reasons and Causes, Why no English King, Prince, Noble-Man, Merchant, nor any other Person of Heroick Spirit, should not, in all this Time, since America hath been Discovered, endeavour to be Master of Silver and Gold Mines, as well as the Spaniards; there being in many Places of [Page 81] America, now in the Hands of the English, as Rich, and as Plentiful Veyns and Mines to be Found, as any the Spaniards have in Peru, or New-Spain. But one Reason of this Misfortune, I believe to be this; He that hath had Substance, to have undertaken this Enterprise, hath wanted Skill, and [Page 82]durst not Trust another with a small Stock out of Sight; nor would not go himself with such as had Judgment therein: Or, He that hath had Skill, hath wanted Money, and Encouragement, to Manage and Carry on this Affair, and so could not undertake it, for want of a Stock; and as yet, no Person [Page 83]hath Petitioned any KING or PRINCE, about it: However, it is plain, and too true, the Mines have been Neglected, which one would think, since all the Kings, Princes, Grandees, and Persons of Estates, in Europe, have known, That for 150 Years last past, the Spaniards have imported at Cales, from Ten [Page 84]to Forty Millions a Year, in Silver and Gold, besides many Precious Stones, and other Rich Commodities, of great Value. The Knowledge of which, one would imagine, should have strongly induced some other Prince, or Heroick Spirited Men, to have used all their Endeavours to have Found and Discovered [Page 85]such Mines; and have given them sufficient Cause to have pursued the same, by sending such Persons about this Affair, as well Understandeth such Things: But the chief Reason and Mischief, that these Mines have layn so long Neglected, is, Because a few PROPRIETORS (as is before recited in [Page 86]the PREFACE,) having, together with the Land, got Grants from the Crown, of the Royalties, where Mines, and Mineral Countries are; and not using any effectual Means to Discover the Mines themselves, at their Charge, the Enterprise hath remained intricate, and no ways feasable to [Page 87]Others, by Reason of those Grants; all other Persons being prohibited to engage therein. For, to what purpose shall a Man spend his Time, Labour, and Money, to Enrich Others, by Seeking for That, which, when he hath found, neither He, nor his Heirs, shall Enjoy, nor any part thereof: [Page 88] To Engage in this, would be perfect Madness. This is the chief Reason, why the English are not Masters of Silver and Gold Mines, as well as the Spaniards; and not the want of such Mines, being within the English Territories and Dominions; for if this Sore was once Cured, The English would have a Plate-Fleet, in [Page 89]a few Years, Arrive in England, as well as the Flota doth in Spain. How great the Loss of which hath been, and is, and how Acceptable and Profitable the Discovering of such Mines, and an Arrival of a Plate-Fleet Yearly in England, would be, I leave every one to Judge, that knows the Use and Service [Page 90]of Silver and Gold: And the Cause and Causes, why there are no such Mines Wrought in America, but what are Wrought by the Spaniards, are only the Reasons afore-said; concerning which, I hope, I have said sufficient; and that some better Care will be taken, for the Future, whereby all those [Page 91]Grants, relating to the Mines in America, may be Null'd, Revok'd, and made Void, (only in such Clauses as concern Mines,) by the King's most Excellent Majesty, and the Prudence of this Present Parliament; and that the KING hereafter may remain sole Lord of the Field, and Royalties, in all Parts [Page 92]of Africa, and America, that are now, or shall be, Annexed to the CROWN of England, &c. The Indians, both on the South and North Side the Aequinoctial, had Found the Mines, and Wrought in them (after their Fashion) for above Three Hundred Years before the Spaniards came there; or else most of the [Page 93]Mines had layn Undiscovered to this Day, by Reason of the Spaniards Laziness; for the Indians of Peru, having Lived some Hundreds of Years in a civiliz'd Government, before the Spaniards Arrival, had Wrought the Mines, and got great Quantities of Silver and Gold, although they were in [Page 94]no proper way of Working them, nor had any Iron or Steeled Tools, fit for the Service of the Mines; but only Tools of Copper, which they Valued more than Silver or Gold, in regard the Tools and Utensils of Copper were most serviceable for their Domestick Affairs, and all other [Page 95]Occasions, in their Times: So that, for many Years, where-ever the Spaniards came, unless they Found Vessels of Silver and Gold in the Indians Houses, or somewhere Wore about them, at their Ears, Lips, Necks, or Noses; or was conducted, by the Indians, to the Mines, and Places, [Page 96]where the Silver and Gold had been got, The best and Richest Mines, the Spaniards now have, lay Void, and for a long Time Unwrought; being no more taken Notice of, than some Mineral Countries now are by the English, in several Parts of America. And the best Method (for Gathering and [Page 97]Taking up Gold,) most of the Spaniards had, for many Years, was only to Cleanse and Scower up the small Rivers and Brooks of the Countrey, falling from the Mountains; from the Sands whereof, they Gathered much Gold, without the Experience of Digging, Mining, and Sinking of Shafts, to seek [Page 98]for Veyns and Rakes: The Knowledge of which hath not been many Years Understood, and Practised by them; nor is yet Understood, Used, and Practised to that Heighth, and to such Advantage, as it might be. So that, in many Places, which are now in the Possession of the English, there [Page 99]was never any Shafts Sunk, and put down, either by the English, or the Spaniards; their chief Objects, and Places of Tryal, being only the Surface of the Earth, with the Brooks and Rivers, as afore-said. And therefore it remains, without Contradiction, there is all the probable Signs and Symptomes [Page 100]of Rich Veyns to be had, and Found, for Digging and Seeking for. And to this Day, the best Method and Way that is Known, Practised, and Used by the Spaniards, and Indians, for Gathering and Taking up Gold, in Flat-Work, is as followeth: The Spaniards set their Indians and Negro Slaves [Page 101]out a Parcel of Ground, Forty or Fifty Yards Square, more or less, as the Patroon or Master thinks fit; which Ground, the Indians and Slaves Dig up as Deep as they Find any Gold in it; and as they Dig it, throw it into Wheel-Barrows; which being done, their other Slaves run it away to the next [Page 102]River, or Running-Brook, and there lays it down, and Returns for more; and in this Manner they Labour, till their Days Work is done, in Digging and carrying of Earth. At the River, or Running Brook, there are also several other Indian Women, Boys, Girls, or Slaves, at Work, having Bowls, [Page 103]or small Treays with Handles; where a Negro Boy or Girl, having first broken and beaten the Lumps of Earth small, where, by Reason of the Heat, it immediately dryes; which when it is dry, they put about an English Peck of that small Earth, so beaten and dryed, into one of those Treays, as [Page 104]afore-said, at a Time; and then the Woman shakes and dances it about in the Water, turning the Bowl or Treay about and about, till the Water hath Washt away all the Earth, and Rubbish; and what Gold is in it, sinks, and remains at the Bottom; which not being fully Cleansed from the [Page 105]Earth, is put into a Bowl that stands by, to undergo a second and a third Cleansing. And in this Manner, the Women, Boys, and Girls, renew filling of their Treays and Bowls, with that Earth, till their Days Work is done; and so daily gather more or less Gold, according as it happens, and as that [Page 106]Flat-Work is more or less Plentiful of Gold; Pursuing this Method in Digging, Carrying, and Washing, as long as that Earth hath any Gold in it worth their Labour; and then they remove to another Place. After this Way, they Work out all their Earth and Land, that lies near Rivers, or Running-Brooks, [Page 107]that hath Gold in it; but where the Gold lies at a great Distance from any Running Water, they are obliged to let all alone, or else to lose the greatest Part of the Gold that is small; for in such Places that are remote from the Water, (as on the Tops and Plains of the Mountains, where there [Page 108]is generally the most plentiful Store of Gold) the best Ways they Use or Understand to gather it there, are these: They Dig the Earth, Dry it, then Beat it small, and Sift it; which done, they Spread or Strow it thin upon the Ground, and there it lies, till the next Showers of Rain Wash it; and then [Page 109]they pick out what Gold they can; which being done, they draw the Earth up and down with Coal-Rakes, or turn it with Shovels, and spread it thin again, and let it lye till other Rains wash it, and so pick it over again; which Operation, being twice or thrice Repeated, and having taken [Page 110]what Gold they can out this Way, they then shovel all the Earth together upon Heaps; and if there be no Pools or standing Waters near, they make Ponds or Pools, which when the Rain-Water hath filled, they carry that Earth, so laid upon Heaps, thither, and wash it, with their Treays and Bowls, in [Page 111]those Pools, as aforesaid: And by this Means they get some more Gold, although most of the fine and small Gold is quite lost, because the Water of those standing Pools soon grows dirty and muddy, and thereby rendred unfit to seperate the fine dust Gold from the Earth, for want of clear running-Waters; [Page 112]which Error, and Defect, might easily be amended, and all the Gold, though never so small, preserved, if they understood the way of Hushing, and using long Buddles, and Landers: As much Gold might be taken up in a Month, by the same Number of Hands, as they now take up in [Page 113]Seven Years: But, whether this be a proper Place, and a fit Time, to Shew and Describe the Way of Hushing, and Using these Buddles and Landers, I know not, till I find what Reception and Countenance these ARTICLES will meet with. And if the Design of this Book meets with Encouragement, [Page 114]I will Publish a Book, Entituled, The Royal Miner; (in which, the whole Method and Progress of Digging, Working, and Carrying on of Mines, from the first Beginning, or Breaking of Ground, to the Melting, Refining, and Making the Oars into Metal, shall be clearly Taught and [Page 115]Described; together, with all the Work-Tools, Instruments, and Materials, Used in and about the Mines: As also, what Incidents, or Accidents, Prejudicial, or Profitable, hath, doth, and may attend the same, as far as Art, or Nature, hath Discovered these things to Humane Reason: In all [Page 116]which, (I may say, without Boasting,) I have had long Experience, and am as capable to Acquaint Posterity with, as any Person extant, having, for Six and Twenty Years past, been universally concerned in Mines, in all, or most of the Mineral Countries of England, not only as a Partner, Master, [Page 117]or Owner of them; but in the Practick Part of their Workman-ship, from the Beginning, to the End:) In which Book, I will describe the Method of these Buddles and Landers, for Hushing, and the most proper Way of taking up, and gathering of Gold, with many Useful and Beneficial Directions [Page 118]and Instructions, in and about the Mines, and Mineral Countries of England, and other Places, shall be fully set out and described. In the Interim, If this small Book should fall into the Hands of any Detractors, who, through Ignorance, or Envy, shall exclaim against any thing [Page 119]herein mentioned, or hereby intended; I shall only give such Persons this modest Reproof, Quis nisi mentis inops oblatum respuat aurum? and he may well be reckoned a weak Man, if not a Fool, that will censure, slight, or condemn any thing, in which he never acquired sufficient Knowledge [Page 120]to be a competent and fit Judge.
Gentlemen,
I would not have You, or any of You, think, or believe, that Gold, and Silver, or the Oars of any other Metals, lyes in the Earth, in such Plenty, or in such a Manner, as to discover themselves to every vulgar [Page 121]or unskillful Eye; however, it is certain, There is great Plenty, and many Rich Veyns to be Found in the English Territories; & for what I have mentioned before, concerning a Plate-Fleet coming Yearly into England, if Liberty, and fit Encouragement, be given, I will Undertake to Effect and Perform [Page 122]it. And, if any of You desires further Information in this Affair, I am ready to Acquaint You with it, when You Command me; and to Shew You how, where, and by what Ways and Means the same may be Effected; so that, if Liberty and Encouragement may be given; I doubt not, but [Page 123]to have Five Hundred Miners at Work, in Two Years Time; by which, with some Negroes, and other Persons, that I will Cause to be brought to them, in Two Years Time more, I question not, but to make the Mines flourish to a greater Degree, than I shall now Speak of.
To Conclude; All that I seek herein, is, That the King's most Excellent Majesty, and this August Assembly of Parliament, would be Graciously Pleased, (if in their great Wisdom, it may be thought fit,) to take away, and remove all those Obstructions, which hitherto have Ruined this Honourable [Page 125]Enterprize; and that, for the Future, they would Settle and Confirm either the afore-going ARTICLES, or some other Fundamental LAWS and CUSTOMS, for the Mines beforementioned; whereby all Free-Born Subjects of the CROWN of England, may have Liberty, and full Power, [Page 126]of Using their Endeavours, to improve their own Interests, together with the Revenues of the CROWN: Which is the most Humble Desire, and Petition, of a Well-Wisher to his KING, and Countrey,