THus I shall state the businesse which at present I intend to present to your powerful hand, and under your po­tent Protection to the whole Common wealth, the which Work is even already fram­ed to the end intended; that is, Nature having so bountifully concurred with her own endeavours to the effecting thereof, in undergoing the greatest charge, which commonly is the chiefest stop in all businesses of this nature.

The flourishing Havens of Lyn and Yarmouth being so Portuous, so much frequented with Shipping, and so plyed with Trade, it is apparent that the two [Page]Counties adjoyning Norfolk and Suffolk receive much comfort thereby, being more indulgently dealt with­al by their two Havens then remoter parts, as particu­larly assisted by their importations, furnished by that means with many Forreign commodities, which come flowing into those Ports.

These two Rivers above named, the little Owse and Waveney, running as it were between the two Ha­vens, and in a manner dividing those two Counties, were they opened for Navigation, would very much encrease the benefit both to those Haven Towns, in venting of those their Importations, as also prove a great ease to the said two Counties to have so facile and cheap a passage made to bring those Commodities unto them, and withal thereby to vent what they pro­duce of their own.

These two Rivers are so favourably cast by Na­ture, as in the Winter (when they will be most for use) the Heads of them already almost meet, at a place called Loppham-Bridge, where a Navigable Channel being cut, (in length lesse than a mile) the two Rivers would joyn for mutual Commerce from Lynn to Yarmouth; and withal Boats might rest at a­ny place of these Rivers, there to make their Maga­zins of such Forreign Importations, as the Countries adjoyning stand in need of; others might touch at e­very Market Town, there standing at the least six or se­ven upon, or very neer adjoyning to the said Rivers; and within distance of ten miles very many Market Towns more, the which in the end of this Paper I shall set down, with their several distances from those two Rivers; which Rivers I observe to lie so neer upon a Level, as few Sasses will be required, to lessen the [Page 7]charge. What a blessing and ease would this afford to all the Inhabitants neer adjoyning, upon all Mar­ket daies (as they do in Flanders) to carry them­selves and their Commodities by Water (avoyding those deep waies in the Winter season, especially on Suffolk side) from Town to Town, from Market to Market, at such rates, as will not be considerable, if compared to their charge and trouble in going by Horse or Cart?

These advantages for the increase of Commerce, and Trade, your Highness wisdom will soon pene­trat and give heat unto, by your potent approbati­on, your Highness being generally observed to be most zealous in the setting forward of Trade, taking so much to heart the increase thereof.

Neither doth this Design of mine contain it self within the verge of the aforesaid two Rivers, nor in the advance of Trade brought into those great Havens of Lynn and Yarmouth, but it reacheth higher, and extends to the uniting the In-land Commerce upon Rivers between the North and East of England, there being no obstacle (were these two Rivers opened for Navigation) no hinderance at all, (but that which our carelesness hath negligently cast aside, and made not use of for many years) to impead our Na­vigation upon Rivers within the Land, from the Ha­ven of Yarmouth, to the Citie of York.

Our Henry the first, (as Mr. Camden well obser­veth in his description of Lincolne shire) cut a Chan­nel for the space of seven miles from Torksea upon the Trent down to the Citie of Lincolne, there to joyn with the River Witham, which falling into the Haven [Page 8]of Boston, come through the Isle of Ely, into these our two Rivers the Litle Owse and Waveney, and so to Yarmouth. Mr. Camden saith, this gallant King cau­sed that memorable work of seven miles to be cast up for the benefit of his Citie of Lincolne, though other Writers speak of a mixt intention therein, as partly to facilitate his own Removes from one part of the Kingdome to another, he being the first King who brought Progresses into fashion, so making his people equally participant of him, that they might see and know him better by himself, than by his picture.

He was an active and wise Prince, and as all Ru­lers of States have ever their designs headed with seve­ral ends, so might this King in this very work; as up­on any forreign invasion, or domestick insurrection, to transport from one side of the Kingdome to ano­ther his Army, without grievances to his people for billeting of his Souldiers through the Country as they passed, or tyring out his men with long Marches, but to have them ready for action upon a moment; for by this very work of his of seven miles, cut out for Na­vigation, (conjoyned to what Nature before had wrought) he might have transported an Army by Water, all within the Land from the East part of England into the North, without the least noyse of landing, and have been upon his enemies before they dreampt of him, in this silent and covered way. How­soever his ends were, it was a noble work, and a gift worthy to come from a Crown, it being the first Pre­sident that I have found in England of joyning Rivers for Navigation, which showeth (even then) how forward, and prone toward Improvement this King­dom was.

But what an unworthy neglect thereof hath been in these latter times, I blush to write [...] To let it fall, to be of no use, and the Work (though yet extant) to lye empty, waste, and dry, far from the intention of the Royal giver [...] in so much as now Sheep and Cattel graze, where for­merly Barks have sayled, and perhaps a King in them.

This Work, or Channel of 7 miles, commonly called Fosse Dike, were it repaired, and the Banks in some places made up, would easily again be made capable of Navigation, and revive that safe, rich, and large extended Commerce, which by that means did formerly spread it self within the Land, and would open the passage for Boats, as hath been said, between York and Yarmouth, to the unspeakable comfort or very many Towns and Villages lying near, and upon the Passage, and would yield a general benefit both to the East and North of England, and by participation all England over.

It hath been observed upon Level taken, that the Trent lyeth lower than Fosse Dike by Two Foot, or thereabouts, so that of necessity in that place there must be A Sasse to draw, and let down the Boats. And in­deed if we look upon our Sea Coasts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, they are so wanting of Harbours, and of places to relieve Ships in, in time of stresse, espe­cially upon a strong Easterly Wind, as I may well term them importuous, for any Ships of Burden, so that in the Winter time (when our inland passage will be most in play) the great frequented Haven of Hull will be willing to serve it self with these Rivers Navig­able, for the more safe conduct of their Merchandize into the East parts of England.

These, and the further advantages of this secure Transportation of all Commodities within the Land upon Rivers, between the North and East of England all the Winter season (when the Coast is so dangerous) I need not any further set forth to your Highness, whose Wisdom will soon imbrace them all, and accor­dingly reflect upon them to the benefit of the publick.

One thing I had almost omitted, amongst the many helps which the opening for Navigation of these Two Rivers between Norfolk and Suffolk would afford those Counties, that is, the supply of Fuel, which by this means may be brought unto them with great facilety, Sea Coal now supplying the defects of our Wood so much these latter years consumed, and I may well say destroyed.

And were Fosse Dike repaired for Navigation (which now lieth waste) what a recruit would that also bring to all the East parts of England, by Transporting this way out of Nottingham-shire, Darby-shire, & Leicester-shire, Pitt Coal (which in Forrein parts they call Scots Coal) which in abundance might be fetched by the help of this passage.

Though in this very point Caution were to be had; that no such Coal should be carried out of those Coun­ties this way, but from Pitts new sunk, and from pla­ces where Coals have not been sought. That the inhabi­tants of those parts should not suffer by this exportati­on: And I shall make evident to your Highness, that there are indeficient Mynes of this Coal to supply this Trade abundantly, where never any yet were sought for, and not in any far distance from the River of Trent; the State contracting with the owners of the Soyle (much of that Soyle is now already in the possessi­on [Page 11]on of the State) so that by this means no prejudice should arise to the Inhabitants.

Moreover at Boston (where they must pass) there might be a Magzine for that Coal, either for us to Transport, or for Forreiners to fetch them there,But much fitter for us to do it. which would raise a very great Revenue to the State, that Coal being sold in Forrein parts by weight, at very high Rates.

This Paper out of my bounden Respect, and Duty to your Highness, I offer unto your Prudence and deep Con­sideration, I conceiving it to contain matter of very great Honour to your Highness, and no less benefit and comfort to the whole Commons Wealth.

Rivers running through the Earth, at the Veins of that Body, which Opened in due time, and with good advice, give comfort and refreshments to all the Earth they run through, like to the veins in our bodies, which being open­ed by the advice of the learned Physitian, restore health, repair strength to the decaying man, and brings him into a flourishing condition.

By this Passage your Highness will see all Forreign Commodities brought into us from the East parts of the world equally distributed, to the North and East of Eng­land; As by the former Design of Opening the Rivers between Bristol and London, all the Western Commodi­ties brought in from abroad, were to be Communicated to the West and South of England.

Designes worthy to be brought forth under the happy Protection of your Highness.